Brazil's President claims raging Amazon wildfires were set to make him look bad
RIO DE JANEIRO (KMOX/AP) - Wildfires in the Amazon rainforest have become so severe, they've created a plume of smoke that's now visible from outer space. And Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro says he believes they've been set by nonprofit groups involved in a conspiracy.
That's according to NASA's Earth Observatory, which on Wednesday released satellite photos showing a dark cloud of smoke looming over Brazil. The smoke is part of a record year for rainforest fires; officials say 74,155 have been documented as of Tuesday. That figure represents an 84 percent increase from last year.
"Maybe — I am not affirming it — these (NGO people) are carrying out some criminal actions to draw attention against me, against the government of Brazil," Bolsonaro told reporters.
The states that have been most affected by fires this year are Mato Grosso, Para and Amazonas — all in the Amazon region — accounting for 41.7% of all fires.
