Thick smoke from raging wildfires in Brazil's Amazon rainforest and other regions swallowed major cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro this week, turning skies gray and triggering health alerts. The haze even drifted into neighboring Argentina and Uruguay, creating a cross-border environmental crisis. 🌍
Satellite data from Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE) revealed that 60% of the country—plus parts of nearby nations and the Atlantic Ocean—was shrouded in smoke by Sunday. Researcher Karla Longo called it a 'staggering' event, affecting an area roughly the size of 10 million square kilometers (3.8 million sq miles). 😷
Residents in impacted cities reported burning eyes and difficulty breathing, while social media flooded with eerie photos of orange-tinged skies. Authorities urged vulnerable groups to stay indoors as air quality plummeted. 🚨
While wildfires are common during Brazil's dry season, this year's intensity has scientists and activists raising alarms about deforestation and climate impacts. Stay tuned for updates! 🔥🌳
