Brazil waging 'war' on wildfires in crowded Sao Paulo state

RIBEIRAO PRETO, Brazil - Brazil is deploying military aircraft as part of a "war" against wildfires ravaging the south-eastern state of Sao Paulo, with the authorities warning on Aug 25 that arsonists were setting blazes.

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Following a crisis meeting of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's Cabinet, Environment Minister Marina Silva announced a "war against the fire" and said the federal police were investigating the "atypical situation" situation" that has caused extensive damage.

"So far we have not detected any fire caused by lightning, which means there are people starting fires," Mr Lula said in a video that he posted on social media platform X after meeting Ms Silva.

Mr Tarcisio de Freitas, the governor of Sao Paulo, by far the country's most populous state with some 44 million residents, decreed a state of emergency in 45 municipalities and said two people suspected of starting fires had been arrested.