The Federal Public Ministry (MPF) in Brazil has urged railway companies, Rumo Malha Paulista and Rumo Malha Central, to improve their vegetation management along railways in the interior of São Paulo. This recommendation comes with specific guidelines mandating that the companies conduct a complete clean-up of the rights-of-way by June each year and promptly remove any cut vegetation. This initiative is aimed at reinforcing existing contractual obligations that require these companies to manage the land effectively to mitigate risks related to safety, the environment, and public health.

The MPF's recommendation is particularly timely following the fires recorded in 2024 in the northwest region of São Paulo during the dry season. By implementing these stringent measures, the MPF hopes to greatly reduce the likelihood of similar incidents occurring, which can devastate both the local ecosystem and pose threats to communities. The guidelines apply to railway sections traversing 30 municipalities, including São José do Rio Preto, Jales, Catanduva, and Votuporanga, highlighting the widespread nature of this environmental concern.

Reports from local news outlets indicate that there are still significant amounts of overgrown vegetation surrounding railway lines, as seen in the district of Engenheiro Schmitt in São José do Rio Preto. The MPF's intervention comes at a critical juncture, as the need for effective land management is increasingly recognized in preventing environmental disasters linked to climate extremes, and aligning the operational practices of these concessionaires with public safety mandates is crucial for the safety of these areas during the dry season.