Brazil Wildfires
A resident with a flashlight looks at wildfires burning in the municipality of Autazes, Amazonas state, Brazil, Monday, Oct. 12, 2026.
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Brazilian authorities are investigating whether a recent surge in Amazon wildfires was orchestrated. Fire counts have tripled since Oct. 4, coinciding with national elections. The wildfires have particularly affected Amazonas and Para states, disrupting daily life in Manaus. Environment minister João Paulo Capobianco observed fires in protected areas arranged in geometric patterns, suggesting they may have been deliberately set. Right-wing politicians have been vocal about the fires, using them as a campaign tool. Human activity and drier conditions are aggravating fire risks, with El Niño worsening the situation.