Brazil's Amazon burns despite government denial

Thousands of fires were alight in Brazil's Amazon rainforest on Monday.

In the northern state of Para firefighters attempt to stop the blaze.

However they can only tackle them at all when the temperature drops and winds slow, and the weather can change suddenly.

Cattle stampeded away from the fire as the firefighters worked.

Ranch owner Cleides dos Santos, said they are struggling to combat the fires.

Every year it rains once or twice in the middle of July, and should be raining now, he told British broadcaster Sky News, but "so far it hasn't rained yet".

Sao Felix do Xingu Fire Brigade Sergeant Nazildo Valente da Silva, whose team were trying to prevent the fire from reaching the forest, said the biggest issue they face is climbing the steep mountain with equipment.

The firefighters could be seen cutting down smoldering tree trunks to act as firebreaks.

The Brazilian government has been criticised in the past for its treatment and lack of safeguarding of its rainforest.