Smoke from Australia’s Mammoth Fires Could Reach Rio Grande do Sul

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Forest fires have been affecting Australia for several weeks. Winds in the upper atmosphere have already carried the smoke to Argentina and Chile. Somar Meteorology forecast is alerting about health and environmental risks in Brazil’s south.

The smoke from the fires in the Australian forests is expected to reach Rio Grande do Sul between Monday, January 6th and Tuesday, January 7th, according to the Somar forecast.

The smoke cloud coming from Australia can already be seen in Argentina and Chile, due to the circulation of winds high in the atmosphere, according to Fábio Luengo, from Somar.

“They are called ‘jets’ – which are a stream of more intense winds blowing from west to east,” he explains. The travel of smoke can be followed on the website of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

A cold front is approaching Rio Grande do Sul in the next few hours, and should bring winds blowing from the Southwest, which help carry the smoke to the state. Santa Catarina may also be affected by smoke.

Somar further warns about the risks that smoke entails to human health. “The combination of low air humidity and smoke is very harmful to the respiratory system”.

Should there be rainfall and the smoke lowers to the ground, the smoke particles may damage crops, livestock, dams, and any other water reservoirs, as well as causing a more acid rain”, warns the meteorologist.

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