Pará Declares 120-Day Environmental and Climate Emergency
The decree suspends fire permits, bans open burning in 31 municipalities, and authorizes rapid remobilization of firefighting brigades to address El Niño‑driven drought and rising wildfire risk.
Overview
- Governor Hana Ghassan signed Decree No. 5.767 on Wednesday, placing Pará under a 120-day environmental and climate emergency to respond to severe dry conditions and elevated fire risk.
- During the decree the state has suspended all permissions for use of fire and banned burning for land clearing, pasture management and vegetal waste in 31 named municipalities.
- Limited exceptions exist for authorized firefighting and training, pre-approved scientific research, necessary phytosanitary burns, and traditional subsistence practices by indigenous, quilombola and family‑farm communities.
- The Secretariat of Environment, Climate and Sustainability sent 35 brigadistas to reinforce Santarém and the Baixo Amazonas, Semas can reassign PEPIF volunteers, and CIMAN Pará will coordinate operations with the Military Fire Brigade’s Operation Fênix and federal support while municipalities must cooperate.
- Monitoring platforms report drought and fires affecting wide areas and vulnerable communities, including fish kills and food and water stress in Marajó, and authorities warned El Niño effects could extend risk into 2027 with the decree eligible for a further 120-day extension.