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Wildfire ruins 20% of Brasilia forest, arson believed

Firemens was successful on Wednesday in decreasing the extent of a huge wildfire that blazed for two days and destroyed 20% of a forest in the Brazilian capital, cloaking the city in clouds of graywhite smoke, according to officials, who believe that it may have been begun by arsonists.

The National Forest of Brasilia is a conservation area that crosses 5,600 hectares of forest that protects the springs that are the source of 70% of the city's freshwater.

The fire broke out at the peak of the dry season when vegetation is parched and temperature levels high permitting flames to spread quickly.

We have put out three of the four blazes and we intend to have the fire under control by the end of the day, stated Fabio dos Santos Miranda, who manages the forest.

We make sure this was an environmental criminal activity, however we haven't. confirmed if it was intentional or not, he stated in an. interview, including that three believed arsonists were seen in. the location where the fire began.

Firefighters had a hard time to contain the forest fire and stop. it infecting adjacent orchards where farmers grow tomatoes. and flowers.

We are working to protect the orchards, however the wind is. blowing the fire towards them and the stimulates fly a long method.. said fireman Major Godoy.

Emilia Vasconcellos, who raises cattle and chickens on a. farm at threat of being caught in the blaze, said she thought. people had triggered the fire to clear land on their own, however. she had no proof.

The forest was cut in size by almost half in 2022 to give. method to city development by the government of far-right previous. President Jair Bolsonaro, who lowered environmental controls and. enabled deforestation to rise in the Amazon rain forest.

A record dry spell in the Amazon increased fires in the. rainforest for the month of August to the highest level given that. 2010, government information revealed on Sunday.

In 2015's rains came late and were weaker than normal. since a weather pattern, known as El Nino, was supercharged by. environment change, leaving the jungle especially susceptible to. this year's fires.

(source: Reuters)