The smoke of fires in the Amazon already affects the north-west of Argentina

Smoke from fires in the Amazon Yesterday he affected visibility in the northern and western provinces of Argentina and is expected to arrive this Saturday, August 24th in Buenos Airesreported the National Meteorological Service (NMS). Doctors warn that smoke can cause breathing problems and allergies in people with asthma or other lung diseases. Meanwhile, air transport could also be affected.

"The fires in Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia and northern Argentina generate a thick layer of smoke – in some places thicker and in others less – throughout the region", the meteorologist told PROFILE Cindy Fernández SMN. "As we have a lot of wind from the north, some of the smoke generated by all of these fires has shifted to the center of the country. Yesterday, visibility of smoke was reduced in many provinces such as Jujuy, Salta, Tucumán, Catamarca, La Rioja, San Juan, north of Santa Fe and Corrientes "he added.

If the predominance of the north wind persists in the coming days, it is likely that the smoke will reach the center of the country and even the city of Buenos Aires. "As of today, we could have some smoke presence at CABA. There are times of the day when there is more chance of getting smoke, for example in the morning, because the atmosphere usually reduces its size and the smoke then concentrates closer to the surface.explained Fernandez.

Impact. Aerosols (smoke plus dust) emitted by fires in the Amazon could cause respiratory problems in people with asthma or COPD. "Pollution of the environment is a cause of insufficient control of asthma. Of the five cities in the world where the prevalence of asthma has risen the most because of pollution, two come from Latin America: Bogotá and Lima, "he said. Gabriel Garcia, director of the Department of Asthma of the Latin American Association of Thorax. "People with asthma need to be vigilant. Before any problem, such as difficulty breathing or wheezing, they should consult a doctor. Another important message is that they do not give up their treatment, badured.

In addition, the smoke could affect air transport "depending on its level," they said of the NMS. The burning of biombad affects the climate. "Trees are carbon dioxide reserves. They help eliminate and retain carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. When we burn these plants, all that carbon dioxide is re-emitted into the atmosphere, everything that these plants have been storing for decades thanks to this burning is released. And we know that carbon dioxide is one of the greenhouse gases that contributes the most to global warming, "said Fernández.

With more than 74,000 fires recorded since January, according to data from the INPE (acronym in Portuguese of the National Institute of Space Research of Brazil), Brazil is posting an 83% increase in wildfires by compared to last year.

This generated a wave of repudiation around the world, reinforced by President Jair Bolsonaro's statement minimizing the danger to the environment. At the same time, the Argentine government has proposed to neighboring countries to collaborate in the fight against wildfires in the Amazon, according to the country's secretary of environment.

Ecologist's complaint at the Brazilian Embbady

The environmental organizations mobilized yesterday in front of the Brazilian diplomatic headquarters and mounted a radio station where they claimed the Bolsonaro government for the lack of effective responses to forest fires that affect the Amazon region of their country.

The complaint also included the request made to the Brazilian government to end deforestation of the Amazon and promote strict control of the expansion of agricultural activity in the region. Protesters hung posters with environmental slogans on the fence protecting the embbady and made interventions with red paint simulating the blood. In addition, a group of representatives of indigenous peoples presented a religious celebration of nature that accompanied traditional music.