Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro has accused non-governmental organisations (NGO), without citing evidence, of burning down the Amazon rainforest to hurt his government.
It comes as a growing global outcry against the wildfires raged on social media, with #PrayforAmazonas trending on Twitter.
According to the official stats, nearly 73,000 fires were recorded between January and August, compared with 39,759 in all of 2018.
Several experts have blamed traditional farming methods and the current political rhetoric for it.
"Increased deforestation and burning are the result of his anti-environmental policy." said Marcio Astrini, Greenpeace Brazil's public policy coordinator.
Wave of bomb threats afflict European flights for third time this week
Jay Rockefeller, heir to famed dynasty and former US Senator, dies at 89
At least two children killed in bus crash in eastern France, authorities say
Vance repudiates Iran war after US electoral defeat
Malaysia ex-PM Najib Razak set for house arrest after party pays fine to leave jail
