City Hall raises awareness about fires with prevention campaign

With the arrival of the dry season, when the risk of fires increases, Araraquara City Hall intensified its population awareness actions through the Campaign Against Fires 2026. Developed by the municipal departments of Communication and Environment, together with Civil Defense, the initiative uses the Municipality's official social networks to guide residents about the risks of the practice, its impacts on health and the environment and the channels available for reporting. With the theme "While someone sets fire, everyone breathes smoke", the campaign reinforces the importance of citizen collaboration to prevent fires and protect the community's quality of life. Among the materials released are informative pieces that alert the population about the damage caused by smoke to their health, especially during months of low air humidity. In addition to harming the environment, smoke inhalation can worsen respiratory illnesses and cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, mental confusion, headaches and chest pains. In these cases, the advice is to look for a Basic Health Unit (UBS) or an Emergency Care Unit (UPA). In emergency situations, the population should call the Mobile Emergency Care Service (Samu) by calling 192. The campaign also draws attention to the burning of garbage and waste on vacant land, a practice that constitutes an environmental crime. In addition to generating toxic smoke and increasing the risk of fires, the conduct is prohibited by law and subjects those responsible to penalties provided for by law. In Araraquara, Complementary Law No. 979/2022 prohibits the release of smoke and gases into the atmosphere from fires in urban areas. Owners who cause or allow fires on their land are subject to progressive fines, calculated according to the area affected. When the incident takes place close to schools, health units or hospitals, the penalty may be increased by 30%. In addition to municipal legislation, Federal Law No. 9,605/1998 (Environmental Crimes Law) provides penalties for actions that cause damage to the environment and put public health at risk. In parallel to the campaign, the Araraquara Civil Defense has developed a series of actions aimed at the drought period, with lectures in schools and settlements, guidance to plants and rural producers in the municipality, in addition to distributing information material. As a way of increasing the population's access to environmental information, the City Hall also made available on its website a link to consult official air quality data from the Environmental Company of the State of São Paulo (Cetesb). The address is available in the Quick Access menu, on the Municipal Environment Secretariat page. City Hall reinforces awareness about fires with prevention campaign – Credit: Disclosure.

Reporting channels The City Hall advises that fires and fire outbreaks are reported to the competent bodies. Complaints can be made through the following channels: Municipal Civil Guard: 153 Civil Defense: 199 Cetesb: (16) 3332-2211 Environmental Military Police: (16) 3331-3797 Fire Department: 193 (in emergency firefighting situations) In case of doubts, the Municipal Environment Secretariat can be answered by telephone (16) 3339-5000 and (16) 3335-7040.