Wildfires in Brazil’s Amazonas state worsen air quality in Manaus

SAO PAULO -- Smoke from wildfires disrupted daily life in Brazil's largest Amazon region city of Manaus on Friday as the country's dry season approached its peak. The city, the capital of Amazonas state, suspended in-person work at municipal administrative offices, citing worsening air quality. Public school classes were canceled, and residents were urged to wear face masks. The city said in a statement that the concentration of pollutants averaged 196 micrograms per cubic meter, which is considered an unhealthy level way above the normal range of about 3 to 9. “For several days, Manaus has been affected by heavy smoke from fires in municipalities elsewhere in Amazonas state and in other states,” the city said. “The serious situation extends beyond the capital and threatens the health and quality of life of thousands of families.”State and federal satellite data showed clusters of fire hotspots near Manaus and in southern Amazonas state, as well as near Santarem in neighboring Para state. As of Thursday, the Brazilian Amazon had recorded about 33,556 fire hotspots this year, according to Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research. That is nearly 50% more than during the same pe...