Fires worsen in Amazonas and Public Defender’s Office calls for federal intervention

The Amazonas Public Defender’s Office filed a representation with the Attorney General’s Office (PGR) requesting federal intervention in the State due to the local government’s “inaction” in dealing with the fires that have been ravaging the region.

“May the Union intervene drastically, preventing the fires, holding those responsible accountable (including those in the local public administration), as well as drawing up short, medium and long-term plans for preservation and care,” says the document.

According to reports supporting the request, the capital Manaus has been enveloped in a thick cloud of smoke for at least four days. “This situation puts the survival of the population at risk, as well as worsening health conditions in general.”

In addition to the request for intervention, the Public Defender’s Office also forwarded complaints to the state Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office (MPF), the Court of Auditors of Amazonas and filed a lawsuit in court presenting a series of measures to be taken by the public authorities.

“The existence of fires at this level is a clear demonstration of the State’s failure to act, as if it had taken appropriate containment measures, we would not be witnessing a new disaster in 2024,” the petition states.

The institution demands, for example, that the government establish, within 48 hours, a situation room to monitor and communicate measures to combat fires and burnings. The process also demands explanations about the preventive actions that should have been taken to avoid the current environmental disaster.

The Public Defender’s Office also requests that, within the same deadline, the government inform which municipalities have the fires responsible for the smoke that is compromising air quality in Manaus and other cities in the state. In addition, the State must immediately send security forces and firefighting teams to the affected areas.

If the request is accepted, within ten days, the government must present a detailed report of the measures adopted in the last 12 months to prevent the fires of 2024.

The action is not limited to demanding urgent measures. The institution also asked the courts to assess criminal liability on the part of the state government, “given the repetition of a crisis that had already caused serious damage in 2023”.

“The expectation is that judicial intervention will pressure the state government to take the necessary measures to prevent this tragedy from continuing,” the Public Defender’s Office said in a statement.

THE CNN contacted the Amazonas government and is awaiting a position on the matter.