Brazil's Sao Paulo state government forms Crisis Cabinet to deal with wildfires

By Gozde Bayar

ANKARA (AA) – The Sao Paulo state government in Brazil has formed a Crisis Cabinet to deal with wildfires that have already killed at least two people, according to media reports on Sunday.

A dense grey fog has blanketed the capital Sao Paulo, one of Latin America's most populous cities with more than 11 million residents.

The state government warned that forest fires could spread quickly due to strong winds.

"We currently have 30 cities on high alert for large fires and we are working to control the situation and ensure safety,” Governor Tarcisio de Freitas said on X.

"Sao Paulo is facing a difficult time and we are committed, joining forces, to control the fires and keep people safe,” he said in a separate post on X.

The local government said two employees died while fighting a fire at an industrial plant in Urupes on Friday, but did not provide any further information.