Forest Fires Devastate 20,000 Hectares in Sao Paulo, Brazil

More than 40 municipalities in Brazil’s Sao Paulo state have been placed on high alert due to a series of forest fires that have ravaged the region. Over 20,000 hectares of land have been destroyed, with fires reported at 2,700 locations across the state. While the fires have been brought under control, authorities remain vigilant, as the dry weather poses a risk of new outbreaks. State Governor Tarcisio de Freitas confirmed that soldiers and firefighters are on standby to prevent any flare-ups. According to Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE), Sao Paulo experienced its worst August for fires in recent years, with more than 3,480 incidents recorded.