Severe fires are ravaging south-east Brazil, prompting the São Paulo state government to declare a state of emergency in 45 municipalities on Sunday. Over 15,000 professional and volunteer firefighters, supported by military aircraft, are battling the flames, according to authorities. Authorities said that two individuals had been arrested for arson. The city of Ribeirão Preto, located some 300 kilometres north of São Paulo, has been significantly impacted by the fires. Local media reported that thick smoke spread across large parts of the region. Data from Brazil’s National Institute for Spac…