São Paulo wildfires shatter records with 1 886 hotspots in a single day, surpassing Amazon region, Brazil

A record-breaking surge in wildfires swept across São Paulo on Friday, August 23, 2024, with satellite data revealing 1 886 hotspots, nearly double the historical average for August. The fires accounted for 38 % of Brazil’s total hotspots that day, surpassing even the Amazon region.

The state of São Paulo experienced a surge of fires this Friday, recording 1 886 hotspots, according to satellite monitoring data from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE).

This figure is double the historical average for August. Brazil reported 4 928 hotspots on the same day, with São Paulo accounting for 38 % of the country’s total. The number of fires in São Paulo on Friday exceeded that in the entire Amazon region, which registered 1 659 hotspots.

The previous record for the most fires in August was set in 2010, with 2 444 hotspots recorded throughout the entire month. On Friday alone, the state recorded two-thirds of that number.

In Urupês, in the interior of São Paulo, two firefighters from a power plant died while combating a fire in vegetation, as confirmed by the Civil Defense. According to the Public Security Department (SSP), the victims, aged 30 and 48, were in a truck when the driver lost control, causing a fuel leak that resulted in the vehicle catching fire.

The government of São Paulo established a crisis office to coordinate an emergency response. The operation, part of the ongoing “SP Sem Fogo” initiative, will involve monitoring and control actions throughout the weekend. The effort includes collaboration between the State Civil Defense, the Public Security Secretariat, and other key government departments.

According to the Civil Defense Emergency Management Center (CGE), 30 cities are currently on high alert for major fires, with active outbreaks reported. These areas are particularly vulnerable due to low humidity levels and a heatwave that has gripped the state. The situation is exacerbated by gusty winds, which can quickly spread fires.

The São Paulo government reported that some state and concession highways are closed due to large fires. These closures, ranging from total to partial, are significantly disrupting traffic in several regions.

“It is important that drivers avoid these routes until things return to normal and that they seek safe alternatives for their journeys. In addition, it is essential that everyone remains attentive to constant updates on traffic conditions monitored in real-time by emergency teams and responsible concessionaires,” said the government in a statement.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the United States provided a satellite image at the request of MetSul Meteorologia, showing the extent of the smoke spread across São Paulo.

The image from the GOES-16 satellite showed smoke originating from fires in São Paulo and surrounding regions, including the Amazon and Pantanal. This smoke, carried by pre-frontal north winds, moved from north to south, covering large parts of the state.

As a result, the skies over most cities in São Paulo turned orange or gray due to the dense smoke. This phenomenon was particularly noticeable in the capital and Greater São Paulo, where the late afternoon sky was tinged orange, with a red sun.

Air quality deteriorated significantly in many areas. Several monitoring stations operated by the Environmental Company of the State of São Paulo (Cetesb) recorded poor air quality in Greater São Paulo, as well as in Rio Claro, Piracicaba, Bauru, Jaú, Araraquara, Ribeirão Preto, Catanduva, and Araçatuba.

MetSul Meteorologia issued a warning that August 24 could also be a critical day for fires in São Paulo. While a cold front is expected to bring rain to some areas in the south and east, and near Paraná, the interior of São Paulo is forecast to remain hot and dry with strong winds, heightening the risk of more fires.

The regions of greatest concern are the center, north, and northeast of São Paulo. Widespread rainfall is not expected until August 25, when the cold front will reach more areas of the state.

Reference:

¹ SÃO PAULO TEM DIA DE FOGO COM MORTES E QUASE DUAS MIL QUEIMADAS – Metsul – August 23, 2024

Rishav Kothari

I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.

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