Ministry of Economy Releases R$38.5 Million; Fire-Fighting Aircraft Deployed in Amazon
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Ministry of Economy approved on Saturday, August 24th, the release of R$38.5 (US$9.4) million to fight forest fires in the Amazon region. This release, according to the portfolio, meets the request made on Friday, August 23rd, by the Ministry of Defense and will be immediately carried out.
In a note, the ministry says that it “is monitoring the development of the issue and will take the necessary steps, together with Defense, to fully meet the presidential order,” referring to Bolsonaro’s decree authorizing the deployment of the military in the fight against fires.
Earlier, Defense Minister Fernando Azevedo e Silva had said he expected a R$28 million release. The money has been earmarked for Law and Order (GLO) actions, such as the fight against fires in the Amazon.
Aircraft of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) began to be deployed yesterday to counter fires in the Amazon, reported the federal government.
According to an official statement, two C-130 Hercules aircraft are now being used to contain the flames, taking off from Porto Velho, the capital of Rondônia. The aircraft can hold up to 12,000 liters of water, according to the Air Force. The drop lasts seven seconds, and the water spreads over a 500-meter line.
At first, the government will mobilize troops in four states: Rondônia, Roraima, Tocantins, and Pará.
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