The number of suspects arrested for arson in the state of São Paulo has risen to 11. During the past month, dozens of large-scale fires destroyed big areas of plantations and forests in the São Paulo countryside, leading to millions in loss of crops. The fires, which are largely thought to be criminal, have disrupted activities inside cities, forced people to escape from their homes, hampered economic activities and blocked roads.
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Arrests
The latest arrest took place on Saturday afternoon (31/09), when a 38-year-old man was caught suspected of setting fire to a vegetation area in São Bernardo do Campo. Since 24 August, anonymous reports have led the police to suspects involved in the series of fires that have been recorded in the interior of the state in recent days. The last arrest confirmed by the SSP was on Saturday afternoon, in São Bernardo do Campo. In addition to this, there are detainees in the regions of Rio Preto, Ribeirão Preto, Barretos (SP), and Sorocaba (SP).
90 Minutes of Difference
An analysis by the Amazon Environmental Research Institute (Ipam) indicates that the fires started in 90 minutes, between 10:30 am and 12 pm on August 23.
Start of the Fires
The series of fires that hit the interior of São Paulo started almost simultaneously and in predominantly agricultural areas, according to a survey by Ipam (Amazon Environmental Research Institute) based on hotspot data mapped by satellite. Of the 2,600 hotspots recorded in São Paulo between the 22nd and 24th of this month, 81% occurred in areas used for agricultural purposes, such as those occupied by sugarcane and pasture.
Roads Blocked
The fires blocked roads that provided access to several cities in the interior of São Paulo, especially in the Ribeirão Preto region. In Urupês, two employees of a sugar mill died trying to fight the fire. The State Civil Defense Emergency Management Center placed 30 cities on high alert due to low humidity and a heat wave. Considering partial or total blockages throughout the state, 17 highways were blocked.
Losses
The fire burned 59 thousand hectares of sugarcane crops, and the losses to rural producers are expected to exceed R$500 million.
