National Force Helicopter Crashes in Pantanal and Leaves Three Injured
Biome has the most serious fire situation in history
A National Force helicopter used to fight the fire in the Pantanal crashed on Thursday (8). The accident occurred in the municipality of Poconé (MT). According to a note from the Ministries of Defense and Justice, the three crew members survived and were rescued by the Navy.
The Esquilo model helicopter had left Corumbá. The crew members were taken to Cuiabá for medical assistance. One of them suffered an open fracture in one of his legs, says the note.
The Pantanal faces the most severe fire in its history. At least 26.5% of the biome has already been burned, an area slightly smaller than the state of Rio de Janeiro.
The biome is facing the worst drought in the last 60 years, and the drought may continue for years to come.
According to analysts, the vast majority of fires are caused by human action. Farmers and farmers in the region use burning for pasture management, deforestation, and planting gardens.
Investigations by the Federal Police indicate that four ranchers in the region would have set fire to their farms to open new pastures. One of the police's suspicions is that ranchers have combined burning in the region, similar to what happened with "Day of Fire" in the Amazon last year.
Fire fighting mobilizes the Fire Department, Ibama, ICMBio, National Force, Armed Forces and volunteers.
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon