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In Brazil, hundreds of new wildfires erupted on Saturday, August 24, across the north of the country. In the face of international pressure, and the scale of deforestation, the president decided to allow the use of the armed forces to fight forest fires, but also to ensure order. Thousands of soldiers will be mobilized, even if the military intervention remains for the moment rather vague. Faced with the scale of the disaster, Brazilians are divided between anger and distress.
From our correspondent in Rio de Janeiro , François Cardona
Six regions in the north of the country, largely covered by the virgin forest, have already requested federal aid and intervention from the army: the huge state of Para, but also the Rondonia, on the border with Bolivia, as well as Roraima, which adjoins Venezuela and French Guiana.
Mato Grosso, the agricultural heart of Brazil, the most affected by fires, should also see the arrival of military. The defense minister announced that 44,000 soldiers were available and operational in the Amazon region.
The means have not been specified
On the other hand, the material resources that will be committed, in particular air, have not been specified. Air Force planes have begun to be deployed in several areas affected by the fires - each can dump 12,000 liters of water. But the surfaces to cover are huge, refueling is a major problem .
According to the presidential decree, the army will be able to act in the Amazon until 24 September, including on indigenous territories, hitherto sanctuarized. The soldiers will intervene both for the fight against fires, but also for the maintenance of order.
►Also read: Amazon: Bolsonaro authorizes the sending of the army to fight against fires
Brazilians between anger and dismay
In the small downtown market, around the stalls of fruits and vegetables, everyone discusses fires in the Amazon .
" Some people want to take advantage of the Amazon ," says José Luis, a salesman, who is surprised at the late reaction of President Jair Bolsonaro. Fortunately, the world is watching us. As we are no longer alone in this battle. The UN must put pressure on Brazil. World leaders need to come together to talk about it. Of course, the Amazon is part of our territory, but it's a problem for the whole world. "
Faced with the magnitude of the crisis, Jair Bolsonaro decided to appeal to the army, to contain the fires, but also to ensure the maintenance of order. An emergency measure approved by his supporters, nostalgic of the military dictatorship, like Eduardo.
" We need to get more out of the Amazon. She has a lot of value. But we do not attach enough interest to Brazil. I hope the army will be able to solve all this. But at the time under the military, things were better, "says the man, aged 69.
But Jair Bolsonaro's environmental policy raises growing criticism. Several protest events are expected all over the country. Faced with the scale of the disaster, the Brazilians, between anger and disarray, are divided. During his televised speech, the president was booed in several major cities of the country.