São Paulo’s Águas da Prata state park, an Atlantic Forest conservation area, has lost almost half its size due to fires.
The various fires that hit the region for at least ten days, close to the border with Minas Gerais, have already burned about 600 hectares, including the municipality, where 20 hectares were affected, in addition to São João da Boa Vista (500 hectares) and Vargem Grande do Sul (165 hectares).
This Wednesday (16), according to the Fire Department, there are still pockets of smoke in Águas da Prata, and Vargem Grande do Sul. The biggest fire in the region started on September 5 and took a week to be controlled.
On Sunday, another fire outbreak hit the state park in Águas da Prata, known as the forest, farms in the region, and came close to residential areas. Four families had to leave their homes but were allowed to return the next day.
According to the state Civil Defense, most of the burnt areas are cultivated areas, especially pasture and eucalyptus. The region has been without rain for about 20 days and should remain so until the end of the month.
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon