Roraima saw a 37% drop in hotspots recorded in January 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. The number of hotspots fell from 604 to 384, according to monitoring by the Burnings Program of the National Institute for Space Research (INPE).

The amount of rainfall doubled compared to the average observed between 1923 and 2024. The average rainfall for the month of January in Boa Vista is 30,9 mm, however, the city closed the first month of the year with 63,3 mm. The data is contained in Bulletin of the State Foundation for the Environment and Water Resources (Femarh) prepared on January 31st.

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“The rains occurred not only in the capital, but throughout the state. Consequently, they contributed to the reduction of hot spots along with the actions of the Burning Committee,” explained Ramón Alves, meteorologist at Femarh.

Even with the drop, the state is still the second with the most hotspots in Brazil, behind only Maranhão, which had 434 records. In addition, the five municipalities with the most hotspot detections in January are in Roraima.

Normandia (63), Pacaraima (60), Rorainópolis (39), Caroebe (33) and Uiramutã (33) were the municipalities with the most hotspots. Bonfim (29) appears in sixth and Iracema (26) in ninth. The other three municipalities that complete the top 10 belong to Pará and Maranhão, with Monte Alegre (31) in sixth, Prainha (28) in eighth and Amapá do Maranhão (25) in tenth.

Remember:
Megafires in Roraima forests could cause environmental disaster

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According to the operations manager of the Civil Defense of Roraima, Lieutenant Colonel Leonardo Menezes, the municipalities of Bonfim and Normandia have been the most affected by the fire, requiring greater action by the Fire Department. In addition to fighting the fire, the Corporation has used prevention through lectures and guidance to residents of the interior.

“Pacaraima, which borders Venezuela, has a different biome. It has vegetation that is conducive to fire. But it is important to note that hot spots do not mean there is a fire. We often see the heat of a fire on our panel and when we get to the location it is a rock that is very hot. Pacaraima is a mountainous region with a lot of rock, so it is not necessarily fire,” said Menezes.

'Public health issue'

During last year's drought, the capital Boa Vista was covered in smoke on several days in February, which made residents of Boa Vista suffer with high peaks of unhealthiness in air quality. Crops and houses on Indigenous Lands in other municipalities were also destroyed by fire.

According to the Environmental Protection Delegate, Maryssa Batista, the Fire Department's expert report concluded that 80% of the fires in 2024 were criminal. However, only 10 complaints were filed at a police station.

“The Fire Department’s expert analysis concluded that around 80% of fires are criminal, but it is difficult to find the perpetrators of this type of crime due to a lack of witnesses or images that make it possible to identify suspects, especially when they occur in municipalities far from the capital,” he explained.

On the other hand, Batista stated that five reports of fires have already been registered in January 2025. The delegate believes that the population is afraid of upsetting their neighbors, but that there is also a lack of understanding of the seriousness of environmental crimes.

“I think there is inhibition, but I also believe there is an idea that ‘it’s not my problem’, when in fact it is a problem for all of us. It affects the environment, biodiversity, but it is also a public health issue. People lack awareness that it is our responsibility,” he said.

The crime of burning without authorization can be punished with imprisonment of two to four years, according to Batista. She appeals to the population to formalize complaints, which can be made at any police station, including Virtual Police Station using a computer or cell phone, anonymously.

“If the Public Prosecutor’s Office finds that the Civil Police investigation has enough evidence to identify the culprit, then the courts will be called upon. People think that environmental crimes are not something to worry about, but they should be concerned, because they can be punished like any other crime,” he said.

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Rio Branco and the supply of Roraima

Roraima has only two seasons, called the dry season (from October to March) and the rainy season (from April to September). Despite this, the state recorded rainfall throughout January, which caused the Rio Branco to close the month at a level of 1,44 m. The lowest level the river reached during the period was 0,27 m on the 26th.

As explained by the commercial director of the Roraima Water and Sewage Company (CAER), Cícero Batista, the company does not expect increases in water consumption even if the situation worsens. “The lowest rate we operated was -0,59m, that is, in the negative, and even then we operated without compromising the supply,” he said, ruling out the possibility of rationing or lack of water.

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According to the commercial director of CAER, neighborhoods in the western part of Boa Vista, such as Senador Hélio Campos, suffer from water shortages because, at the beginning of the dry season, 30% of production capacity is lost and pumps need to be adjusted to reduce production. “This means that the amount of water produced in specific neighborhoods is reduced and some homes are left without the ideal supply pressure. This means that water sometimes reaches hoses and low-lying taps, but not all of the pipes,” he said.

Although the situation is under control in Boa Vista, municipalities such as Pacaraima, São Luiz and São João da Baliza are expected to have no production at the dams in the first weeks of February. The cities will be supplied from wells. Pacaraima will be supplied by tanker trucks. CAER will transport the water from Boa Vista to the municipality and distribute it. 

“We will not supply this water to each house, but citizens who need it must keep containers in front of their homes so that we can fill them when the truck passes by. There is no additional charge,” said Batista.

During the most severe period of the 2024 drought, in mid-March, the level of the Rio Branco reached -0,39 m. The situation compromised 30% of the supply in Boa Vista and 70% in Mucajaí.