Strong fires are ravaging the southeastern part of Brazil, prompting the Sao Paulo state government to declare a state of emergency in 45 municipalities, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
According to the authorities, more than 15,000 firefighters, supported by military aircraft, are fighting the flames. Authorities said two people were arrested for arson.
The town of Ribeirao Preto, located about 300 km north of Sao Paulo, has been significantly affected by the fires. Local media reported that thick smoke had spread over large parts of the region.
Data from Brazil's National Space Research Institute, which uses satellite images, shows that between August 1 and 23, 3,175 fires were registered in the state of Sao Paulo.
The news agency "Agency Brazil" reported that this was the largest number of fires in the month of August since 1998.
The forest fire season in Brazil runs from June to October. Fires are often deliberately set in deforested areas to create new pastures and arable land for growing crops such as soybeans, DPA notes.