Brazil authorizes foreign pilots, planes to fight fires
The Brazilian government has issued a provisional measure allowing firefighting services to be carried out by foreign aircraft and crews in cases of public calamity or environmental emergency.
The provisional measure, a prerogative of the country's president, is issued in situations of urgency and relevance. It takes effect immediately and has the force of law but must be approved by the National Congress within a specified period to remain valid.
"With this change, we can now, if necessary, hire aircraft from other countries or receive assistance from foreign pilots," said the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Marina Silva, on Wednesday (Jul. 10). Her statement followed a meeting of the Federal Government's Pantanal Crisis Situation Room at the Planalto presidential palace, addressing the fires affecting the states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul.
According to a report by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, as of July 7, firefighting operations in the Pantanal biome have extinguished 30 of the 54 fires, accounting for 55 percent of the total. Of the 24 fires still active, 13 are under control.
Across the region, 830 professionals are involved in the firefighting efforts, supported by 15 boats and 15 aircraft operating from three bases.
The Pantanal is enduring its worst drought in 70 years, with over 760,000 hectares devastated by fires as of 2024—an area equivalent to six times the size of Rio de Janeiro.
Rehiring
In addition to the possibility of hiring foreign pilots, another provisional measure has strengthened the fight against forest fires by reducing the rehiring period for firefighting professionals from two years to three months.
By law, firefighters employed by public environmental preservation institutes can work in firefighting roles for two years, with the possibility of extending their employment for an additional year. Prior to the measure being published, there was a two-year rehiring gap, leading to a shortage of experienced professionals in the field.
