Brazil has pressed 40,000 troops and military aircraft into action to fight massive Amazon forest fires.
After international pressure to contain fires, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro authorised the use of the military to battle the huge blazes, saying he is committed to protecting the Amazon region.
The armed forces will collaborate with public security and environmental protection agencies to douse the forest fires.
The blazes have prompted an international outcry as well as demonstrations in Brazil against President’s handling of the environmental crisis.
Bolsonaro has previously described rainforest protection as an obstacle to Brazil’s economic development. His critics say the Amazon forest absorbs vast amounts of greenhouse gasses and is crucial for efforts to contain climate change.
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