Drought emergency declared in the State of Paraná

This week, a state of emergency was declared throughout Paraná due to the drought that has affected several municipalities in the state since last month. In August alone, 20 hot spots were recorded, approximately six times more than what was recorded in July. The decision is contained in Decree 7.258/2024. 

The decree authorizes the waiver of bidding in contracts for the provision of services, works and acquisition of goods necessary to combat drought for a maximum period of 180 days. The measure also reinforces the mobilization of state agencies under the coordination of the State Civil Defense Coordination Office.

The situation is caused by a sequence of days with high temperatures and low relative humidity, increasing the risk of forest fires. In the first eight months of the year, more than 10 fires were recorded in the state, according to the Fire Department.

High temperatures and low relative humidity

The situation is expected to persist until at least mid-September, according to Simepar and Civil Defense. The forecast is that practically all regions of the state will register low relative humidity and high temperatures between September 7 and 15.

According to the institute's forecast, the average minimum relative humidity for the week may be less than 20% in the North and Northwest regions and less than 30% in the Central and Southwest regions of Paraná. Only the Coast should register a minimum relative humidity above 60% during the period.

The average maximum temperature is expected to be above 30ºC in almost the entire state. In the North and Northwest regions, thermometers may register a temperature anomaly of up to 8ºC, which means that temperatures will be above historical averages for the period.

“We will have a heat wave and dry weather in almost the entire state, except on the coast. When this happens for days in a row, the conditions are favorable for fires to occur, so extra care must be taken during this period,” said Simepar meteorologist Reinaldo Kneib.

Recommendations: When weather conditions indicate a high risk of forest fires, Civil Defense issues alerts to regional fire departments so that the corporation can respond more quickly to any outbreaks that arise.

In August, for example, Civil Defense issued other high-risk alerts for the entire state between the 18th and 23rd, which helped the state to act against the outbreaks that emerged in Paraná.

“It is important that the population is aware at these times to prevent any fires and to notify the fire department when they see one. It is necessary to be even more alert in remote locations, where fires can be of larger proportions,” warned Civil Defense member Marcos Vidal da Silva Junior.

According to Fire Department spokesperson Captain Luisiana Guimarães Cavalca, small actions can make a difference and prevent major fires. “Everyone should help during these times. The main recommendations are not to use fire to clear land, not to burn trash, not to release balloons and to dispose of plant material correctly, avoiding piles of leaves and branches,” she advised.