Prosecutors to investigate whether fire in Chapada dos Veadeiros was arson
The fire in the National Chapada dos Veadeiros Park started on October 10 and was brought under control, but reignited six days later. It is now regarded as the worst case of wildfire in the region.
Faced with information according to which the fire in the Chapada dos Veadeiros, in the central-west state of Goiás, is arson, federal prosecutors are demanding clarifications from the federal police, the authorities in the national park, and city officials in Alto Paraíso de Goiás. They will be given a five-day term to provide information linked to the fire that has consumed 26% of the park's total area. The prosecutors want to know what contributed to the beginning or the spread of the large-scale fire currently ravaging the area.
Mentioned by the prosecutors is the fact that the area has been the object of much legal dispute, especially concerning the expansion of the park, which has gone from 65 thousand to 240 thousand hectares. The fire is believed by some to favor those opposing the expansion.
Prosecutor Nádia Simas Souza has issued rulings to ascertain whether police inquiries have been opened and efforts have been implemented by local authorities to urge the federal government to acknowledge the urgent nature of the situation, in order to help bring funds to finance plans to curb the fire.
The fire in the National Chapada dos Veadeiros Park started on October 10 and was brought under control, but reignited six days later. It is now regarded as the worst case of wildfire in the region.
Translated by Fabrício Ferreira
Fonte: Mariana Tokarnia reports from Agência Brasil
