Pará declares 120-day environmental emergency amid severe drought and forest fires

The Brazilian state of Pará has declared a 120-day environmental state of emergency due to severe drought and large-scale forest fires. This emergency measures response follows a surge in fire activity that has threatened the region's ecosystems and populations. Since the beginning of November 2026, the state has recorded more than 5,000 fire outbreaks.

Escalating fire activity

The intensity of the current fire season is significant compared to previous years. The number of fires recorded in the first part of November 2026 is nearly equal to the total number of fires recorded throughout the entire month of November 2025. Data shows that approximately 700 fires were active in the 48 hours preceding recent reports. Authorities expect a peak in fire activity to occur in December 2026.

Local government authorities stated that dried vegetation facilitates the spread of fire and threatens populations, forests, and economic activities. To combat the crisis, the emergency measures include a ban on using fire for clearing pastures. The state is also mobilizing additional firefighting resources to manage the outbreaks across the region.

Climate drivers and regional impact

The drought in Pará is linked to the El Niño climate phenomenon, which causes warming in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. Experts predict the current El Niño episode could be the strongest ever recorded. This phenomenon has already caused significant disruption in neighboring regions. In the neighboring state of Amazonas, schools in Manaus were closed in early October 2026 due to health risks from smoke.

The environmental crisis affects a state with a population of approximately 8.7 million people. The conservation of the Amazon is vital for limiting global warming, as it is the world's largest tropical rainforest. The current conditions represent a major challenge to the stability of this critical ecosystem.

Environmental emergency response

The 120-day environmental state of emergency allows the state government to implement stricter controls and allocate more resources to fire suppression. The scale of the fire outbreaks in November 2026 highlights the increasing vulnerability of the region to extreme weather patterns. As the state prepares for a forecasted peak in fire activity during December 2026, officials remain focused on mitigating the impact of the drought and the resulting smoke on public health and biodiversity.

Glossary

• Pará — Pará is a Brazilian state with a population of approximately 8.7 million people. It is currently facing an environmental state of emergency due to severe drought and large-scale forest fires.
• Amazonas — Amazonas is a neighboring state to Pará. It has experienced school closures in its capital due to health risks from smoke.
• Manaus — Manaus is the capital of the State of Amazonas in Northern Brazil. It is home to the Free Economic Zone of Manaus (ZFM).