Amazon burning: Brazil reports record surge in forest fires

Fires raging in Brazil’s Amazon rain-forest have hit a record high this year, and satellite images from NASA show smoke covering the country’s northern half, an area larger than Europe.

President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday suggested the fires were being staged by NGOs to embarrass his government.

But environmental activists say cattle ranchers have been clearing the forest for more grazing ground and fear this may affect the air quality in the region.