Fires surge in Brazil's Amazon, fueled by El Niño and climate change

Fires in Amazonas state up 253% in first two weeks of October Residents complain of breathing trouble Government says fires inside protected forest may have been set on purpose By Bruno Kelly AUTAZES, Brazil, Oct 13 (Reuters) — El Niño, climate change and human activity are fueling a surge in fires deep in Brazil's Amazon this month, as firefighters race to contain blazes whose smoke is choking residents and causing events to be cancelled in nearby towns. There were 1,679 fires in Brazil's Amazonas state in the first two weeks of October, a 253% surge compared to the same period last year, according to data from the country's Amazon surveillance system. The fires, which officials suspect were set on purpose, have sent plumes of smoke across the sky and provoked states of emergency in at least 36 municipalities across Amazonas, causing respiratory problems for residents. "Our situation here is critical," said Luiz Rios, a retired farmer in the state's Autazes municipality who has struggled to breathe at night, causing his face to swell. Poor air quality from the fires has canceled outdoor events in Manaus, the state's capital and home to over 2 million residents, where public school