RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The Brazilian state of Roraima in the Amazon rainforest has experienced a significant surge in fires during the month of February, with over 2,000 fires detected by satellite sensors operated by the National Institute for Space Research (INPE). This data, released on Thursday, revealed a stark increase compared to the monthly average of 376 fires, marking the second-highest number recorded in a single month since data collection began in mid-1998.
The fires have resulted in widespread air pollution, affecting entire cities within the 200,000-square-kilometer state of Roraima. Smoke from the fires has also encroached upon the Yanomami Indigenous Territory, raising concerns about the impact on local communities and ecosystems.
