The Sao Paulo state government in Brazil has established a Crisis Cabinet to address the severe wildfires that have claimed at least two lives, according to reports on Sunday. The fires have also resulted in a dense grey fog enveloping Sao Paulo, one of Latin America’s most populous cities with over 11 million residents.
The state government has issued warnings that the wildfires could spread rapidly due to strong winds. Governor Tarcisio de Freitas highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating on X (formerly Twitter), “We currently have 30 cities on high alert for large fires and we are working to control the situation and ensure safety.”
In a separate post, Governor de Freitas emphasized the state’s commitment to tackling the crisis: “Sao Paulo is facing a difficult time and we are committed, joining forces, to control the fires and keep people safe.”
The local government confirmed that two employees lost their lives while combating a fire at an industrial plant in Urupes on Friday, although further details have not been disclosed.
