Wildfires, Deforestation Spark Emergency in Brazilian Amazon

Amazonas state declares emergency as fires approach Manaus
Authorities cite El Nino and illegal deforestation in decree

Fire in an area of the Amazon rainforest in Iranduba, metropolitan region of Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil, on Sept. 5.Photographer: Michael Dantas/AFP/Getty Images

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By Andrew Rosati and Guilherme Bento

September 15, 2023 at 2:54 PM UTC

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Wildfires and a historic drought in the Brazilian state of Amazonas have sparked an environmental emergency as authorities struggle to contain blazes in the heart of the world’s largest rainforest.

Officials this week declared a state of emergency that covers nearly two dozen municipalities in the southern part of the state, including the metropolitan area of the capital city of Manaus, as the El Nino weather phenomenon and destruction in the Amazon rainforest intensify the region’s annual fire season.