Brazil's Bolsonaro says to fight Amazon fires, blames weather

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro looks on during an Soldier's Day ceremony, in Brasilia, Brazil August 23, 2019. REUTERS/Adriano Machado

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Friday he will deploy federal troops with appropriate equipment to fight the fires in the Amazon rainforest, blaming dryer-than-normal weather for the spike in fire outbreaks this year.

In a speech on national television, Bolsonaro said the government was very aware of the situation and will fight "environmental crime" the same way it fights ordinary crime.