The rain does not reach the Noel Kempff park, nor does the support of the national government

The rains that affected the city they did not feel in the park Noel Kempff Mercado, that continues to burn. The flames affect three different zones of this protected area.

Ericka Bayá, an Alas Chiquitanas volunteer, points out that the plateau of Caparuch, the Pauserna area and Florida are the three areas that are devoured by the flames. The fire not only destroys the vegetation, but also the fauna. The best way to control fires involves operations by air, but the means are not available.

The forecast of the National Service of Meteorology and Hydrology (Senamhi) referring to the atmospheric conditions for the propagation or reduction of heat sources values ​​the following days as adverse. The report describes the conditions as little prone and prone for the fire to keep growing, in the Chiquitania area. For the northern area and in the Chaco, the conditions for the fire to spread are detailed as very prone. Rain is not expected in these areas either.

Rain is expected in Chiquitania this Thursday. Friday will be characterized by cloudy skies, according to Senamhi.

On the Caparuch plateau, the fire has not stopped burning for a month. Civil defense was in the area, supporting from the air, but withdrew on the 7 September, recalls Bayá. At that time, they left because, in their opinion, it was under control. The rebel flames continued their pace, far from being controlled. Later, despite the fact that the Government, assembly members and other institutions they sent letters to Civil Defense asking for it to come back to support them, help did not come.

The situation in Pauserna is more serious. To get to the place two days of travel required; “it is in the middle of the mountain”, describes the volunteer. Currently 30 people, including forest firefighters from the Government, park rangers and the army are working to put out the fire in that place.

There are many shortages, especially fuel, for areas as inaccessible as this, because not only is the land transport but also pluvial; boats require fuel and this is consumed quickly.

Getting there from the Brazilian side takes 40 minutes, and neighboring forest firefighters already offered their help to put out the fire. But there is a drawback, says Bayá: permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is required so they can cross. And the permission does not come.

Bayá comments that the Brazilians have all the necessary equipment to intervene and regrets that a permit gets in the way and prevents saving the flora and fauna of this national park, which is also a World Heritage Site, declared by UNESCO in 2000.

The rain hasn’t come to Florida either.

Alas chiquitanas continues to receive help of those who stand in solidarity with the forest firefighters who are on the front line trying to stop the fire. The burns from your safety clothing, from your skin; The lack of rest and dehydration take their toll on these people who risk their lives to prevent the fire from spreading further, to save forests and animals, and, of course, to prevent them from reaching human settlements.

Another difficulty is bringing food to the area, precisely because of the few accesses that exist.

Bayá says that most of the firefighters have been left without boots, or the ones they have are badly damaged. A pair of firefighter boots cost around Bs 3,000So not everyone has them. Instead they wear safety boots and given the arduous and permanent work, they no longer give of themselves.

Donations can be delivered at the collection point in La Recoleta, located at calle Tucumán 6 esteEquipetrol.

This Wednesday, the Government reported 12 active fires in the department. Keep the red alert. The fires affect three municipalities. He also announced that 43 brigades, with a total of 373 firefighters, are working with 12 machines to stop forest fires.