According to Brazilian media reports, due to an abnormal increase in the number of forest fires in recent days, the government of Sao Paulo state in Brazil stated on the 24th that at least 36 cities in the state were on "high alert," and by the 25th the governor of Sao Paulo state announced that 46 cities in the state had entered a 180-day state of emergency.

According to data from Brazil's National Institute for Space Research, more than 2,300 fires occurred in Sao Paulo state over the two days of the 22nd and 23rd, breaking the national record, and by the 24th a further 305 fires were recorded, bringing the cumulative total to 2,605 fires. As a result, the state government immediately set up a crisis management office and declared a state of emergency in 46 cities.

According to the data, from the beginning of this year to August 24, the cumulative number of fires in Sao Paulo state has exceeded the total of the previous two years combined. In addition, Sao Paulo state recorded 3,175 fires in August alone, setting a new high in the 26 years since Brazil's National Institute for Space Research began keeping records.

According to media records, most of the areas currently ravaged by the fires are on the outskirts of the city of Sao Paulo, and the urban area has basically not been directly affected by the fires, but rural areas of Sao Paulo state are shrouded in smoke, trees along several highways are burning, and wildfires have swept through farmland in northern Sao Paulo, with thick smoke enveloping nearby towns. The local government has ordered a ban on public participation in outdoor sports.

According to reports, Sao Paulo state is suffering its worst wildfire attacks in decades, with about 5,000 fires occurring in the whole of 2024. At present, the situation in the city of Sao Jose dos Campos in the east of the state is relatively critical, with more than 300 fires occurring in the urban area over these two days, causing schools in the city to close, while the most severe fire situation is currently in the northern city of Ribeirao Preto. Previously, in the city of Urupes, two employees of a factory died while trying to put out a fire, and another two people were arrested on suspicion of arson.

It is understood that wildfires in Brazil usually peak in August and September, but this year the climate has been abnormal, with particularly hot and dry weather. Starting in late May, wildfires began to appear in the Pantanal, Brazil's largest wetland. For this reason, the governor of Sao Paulo State said that efforts are currently underway to respond to the fires, while warning that the current heatwave and drought are causing the fires to spread and that the fire situation may intensify due to strong winds.

In addition, affected by the drought and nearby fires, multiple cities in Brazil have been shrouded in smoke, with low visibility. Some state highways in Sao Paulo State have been forced to close, and multiple flights at 2 nearby airports have been cancelled, with one airport temporarily closed.

Although coffee harvesting in Brazil has now entered its final stage and the new crop season's coffee is in its growing period, the current severe fire situation will seriously affect Brazil's coffee production in the new crop season. It is understood that Ribeirao Preto, the city currently most severely affected by the fires, is an agricultural product trading center for this region and nearby areas in neighboring states, and coffee and grains are grown around the city, so the impact is severe. In addition, the wildfires have now swept across farmland in northern Sao Paulo, and Alta Mogiana, the most well-known coffee-producing region in Sao Paulo State, is also in the north and may be affected by the fire situation.

In addition, multiple state roads in Sao Paulo State have been closed due to the fires, which will affect coffee transportation efficiency and timing. Moreover, the fires will damage local soil and lead to a decline in soil fertility. According to forecasts by Brazil's meteorological department, Sao Paulo State will see lower temperatures and rainfall in the following days, but there may be "black rain" mixed with fire smoke particles, which will greatly affect the growth of coffee in the coming new crop season.

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