ABT Fire Director:"We are willing to help, without leaving the regulatory framework and our powers"

Despite the prohibitions by the Forest and Land Inspection and Social Control Authority (ABT), there is fire season again. To date, more than 70,000 hectares have been affected, including protected areas.

The departmental director, Luis Roberto Flores, who has been in office since May 2021, answered some questions about this recurring problem.

– doHow are fires currently being monitored?

The ABT, through the Forest Information and Monitoring System (SIMB), of the official website of the Ministry of the Environment and Water – General Directorate of Forest Management and Development (MMAyA-DGGDF), which works based on satellite images, carries out the control and daily monitoring of heat sources.

These, by crossing information with the regional Forest and Land Operational Units (UOBT), close to the reported places, plus the Information from overflights carried out at the head of the Vice Ministry of Environment and Water (Videci), allows us to determine if it is an illegal burning event, or a fire as such, in which case it is coordinated with the incidence commands and these in turn with the Emergency Operations Centers (COE), for the respective attention.

– Are there administrative processes or search for those responsible?

In the event of any event of illegal burning or forest fire, it is notified within the respective citation of subpoena for the initiation of the Sanctioning Administrative Procedure (PAS).

Difficulties are encountered when it comes to public lands or areas where no one lives and no rights have been granted, but all efforts are exhausted to investigate and determine the place of origin of the fire and who could be responsible.

– What figures does the ABT handle on affected surface, does it coincide with the figures of the Government?

The figures that we handle as ABT and those of the Government differ due to several factors, such as the type of satellite images and sensors used as a source, classification of coverage (pampas, wooded savannahs, grasslands, slabs and forests, among others) , in addition to the criteria used.

However, technical roundtable scenarios are already being coordinated, where the sources of information, type of sensors can be analyzed, in addition to seeking the standardization of criteria to generate the necessary reports, for our entire population.

– How has the preventive work proposed by the ABT worked with its caravan from a few months ago?
The actions taken, such as the caravan against the fires, have undoubtedly been beneficial in two ways. First, that there is more awareness in the population of the Chiquitano region, which translates into lower figures, compared to previous efforts. On the other hand, it made it possible to further engage local authorities and producers in the area.

– What can be done to prevent damage to protected areas (PAs)?
Regarding protected areas, it is necessary to continue raising awareness regarding burning and fires, but fundamentally that those who administer the PAs, at all levels of the State, implement their respective management plan with their respective control and protection actions. of said areas. As ABT, we are always willing to help in some activities, without leaving the regulatory framework and our own powers.

– There are reports of new clearings in Bajo Paraguá. What happened to the previous processes initiated, what happened to the notified community members?

(The interviewee promised to send the data of the subpoenas).

Photo: Luis Roberto Flores