The NOAA satellite identified 282 hotspots in Mato Grosso yesterday, all of them illegal

The ban on the use of fire to clear land has failed to check the increase in fires in Mato Grosso. The number of fires has tripled since the ban was imposed. According to the Brazilian environment agency, IBAMA, agriculturalists are responsible for the fires, taking advantage of the strike action by civil servants which has badly effected IBAMA's capacity to monitor fires. Only 40 officials are currently working but IBAMA affirmed that, despite the strike, infractors will be pursued to the full extent of the law.

The fine for the unauthorised use of fire is R$ 1,500 per hectare.

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