Ribeirão Preto (SP) – This weekend, members of the Brazilian Army’s Aviation and Engineering forces joined forces with the Fire Brigade and other institutions and volunteers working to fight the fires that have hit the interior of the state of São Paulo. The military is fighting the fires by air, using helicopters, and by land, with specialized troops on the ground.
Since Saturday, the Army Aviation Command has mobilized three helicopters to assist in fighting the flames. The aircraft, Jaguar and Pantera K2 models, are equipped with helibaldes, a structure that collects water from rivers and ponds and releases it over the fire area. Each aircraft pours up to 700 liters of water per pass, which makes firefighting more agile.
The crew is from the Army Aviation Command in Taubaté and is made up of 15 military personnel, including a pilot, co-pilot and members of the Search and Rescue team. On Monday, the actions are taking place in the region of Franca, Igarapava and neighboring towns.
Meanwhile, Engineering troops are advancing on the ground, reinforcing the actions of the Fire Brigade and volunteers. Since Sunday, the actions have been concentrated at the Jataí Ecological Station, in the municipality of Luiz Antônio, where the troops are using machinery to open firebreaks, unsheltered strips that prevent the flames from advancing.
The prompt response of the Brazilian Army’s Engineering and Aviation Corps reflects the institution’s commitment to protecting the environment and supporting the population in emergency situations.