In light of the severe atmospheric pollution crisis caused by dense smoke clouds covering Manaus, the metropolitan area of the city and municipalities in the interior, the Federal Public Ministry (MPF) participated in a coordination meeting with the participation of federal and state agencies in order to intensify measures to combat fires and illegal deforestation in Amazonas. The strategy combines the demand for action through urgent recommendations and inter-institutional coordination to ensure the criminal liability of offenders.
The meeting was convened by the Public Ministry of the State of Amazonas (MPAM), in addition to the MPF, the Federal Police (PF), the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) and the Civil Police of Amazonas (PC-AM) also participated, the institutions agreed to strengthen the flow of information and evidence to punish environmental criminals in the capital and in the interior.
During the meeting, the MPF clarified that the Public Prosecutor's Office in Amazonas is conducting Administrative Procedure No. 1.13.000.001219/2021-55, aimed at monitoring and supervising public policies related to the subject. In this procedure, the institution requested information from all federal and state public agencies with responsibilities in the matter, and subsequently, on October 13, 2026, issued recommendations whose compliance remains pending.
Still in the meeting, Ibama committed to directly passing the violation notices issued during the inspection operations to the Public Ministry. The documentation will serve as evidence for the filing of criminal lawsuits and for the initiation of investigations by the Federal Police and the Civil Police.
The cooperation aims to expedite the identification and punishment of those who use fire illegally. During the meeting, Ibama informed the availability of 11 aircraft for logistical and operational support in combating fires, while the MPAM made available the Fire Monitor tool to assist in mapping hotspots.
Recommendations- Last week, the MPF issued three formal recommendations (https://www.mpf.mp.br/o-mpf/unidades/pr-am/noticias/mpf-recomenda-reforco-urgente-no-combate-a-queimadas-e-desmatamento-no-amazonas) to federal, state, and nine Amazonian municipalities. The documents establish a five-day deadline for managers to formally indicate their compliance with the measures and present execution schedules.
Among the recommendations are:
-Reinforcement and mobilization of personnel: Hiring and continuous maintenance of firefighting teams and inspection agents in emergency mode.
-Strict action in federal areas: Intensification of inspections by Ibama and the Federal Integrated Multi-Agency Coordination Operational Center (Cimoc) in conservation units, indigenous lands, Incra settlements, and rural properties, with immediate application of infraction notices, embargoes, and administrative sanctions.
-Response structure in the State: Installation of advanced operational bases by the Government of Amazonas and environmental/security agencies (Sema, Ipaam, Fire Department, and Military Police), equipped with all-terrain vehicles and fire fighting trucks for access to critical areas.
-Demand from municipalities: Overt inspection by the municipalities of Manaus, Itacoatiara, Careiro da Várzea, Careiro, Manaquiri, Autazes, Manacapuru, Presidente Figueiredo, and Iranduba in municipal and rural areas.
-Monitoring and alerts: Daily and continuous monitoring of hotspots and the movement of smoke plumes towards urban centers, with the issuance of daily preventive bulletins.