Smoke caused by the fire in Brasília National Park is spreading across the federal capital. The morning of this Tuesday (17) began with a good part of Plano Piloto, especially Asa Norte, under a curtain of smoke accompanied by a strong smell and soot.
There are indications that the fire that started on Sunday (15), around 11:30 am, was of criminal origin, which led the Federal Police to open an investigation.
The wave of fires in the country’s capital affected at least 2,000 hectares of the Brasília National Park, a conservation unit of native Cerrado and abundant in water springs, managed by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio).
With 147 days without rain this year in the Federal District, the hot and dry weather makes it difficult for teams to work and facilitates the spread of flames. Given the need to mobilize to fight the fires, the Military Fire Department of the Federal District (CBMDF) has suspended all vacations, annual bonuses, exemptions and authorizations for its personnel to participate in courses and seminars.
The poor air quality in the areas near the park led the Federal District Department of Education to authorize the suspension of school classes – a decision that, according to the department, would be taken autonomously by the school unitsif they considered the measure necessary.