(EFE).- The large forest fire that was active for two weeks in a mountainous area of Mayarí is under control, the Holguin authorities reported Thursday.
The Civil Defense (DC) specialist, Elio Ramírez, affirmed that the fire is under control, but strict observation is maintained in the area by the Forest Ranger Corps and the Mayarí Integral Forestry Company, reported the state-run Cuban News Agency (ACN).
The incident, which began on January 26, has caused severe damage to more than 1,000 hectares of forest in the El Prado mountainous area, located more than 700 meters above sea level.
Joint forces of the Ranger Corps, the Air Force and other state agencies are still fighting some sources of fire, located within 40 kilometers of the trails
Joint forces of the Ranger Corps, the Air Force and other state agencies are still fighting some sources of fire, located within 40 kilometers of trails made by specialized brigades of the Engineering Works Construction Companies, the DC expert specified.
According to the Mayarí Citizen’s Portal, the impact of the intense drought of the last five months and the abundance of organic plant material favored the spread of the llamas.
Evaluations by specialists from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (Citma) have indicated that the fire has negatively affected the flora and fauna of the place, one of the largest coniferous reserves in the country.
Cuba reported 284 forest fires in 2022 that affected more than 1,800 hectares of forests, the best record in the last 3 years, and 90% of them were caused, according to the Ranger Corps.
Most of them took place in Pinar del Río, which has a forested area of 48.07% and is the second most reforested area in Cuba, preceded by Guantánamo.
For this year, 320 to 445 forest fires are expected, which could damage from 4,300 to 6,000 hectares in the period from January to next May
The origin of a good part of these accidents is attributed to negligence such as the unauthorized burning of herbs or sugar cane, vehicles without spark arrestor nets and the activity of poachers and fishermen.
In Cuba, the critical period for forest fires is from January 1 to May 31, coinciding with the driest season. This represents a threat to the country’s biodiversity, with more than 4 million hectares of forests.
For this year, according to official estimates and by frequency indices, 320 to 445 forest fires are expected, which could damage 4,300 to 6,000 hectares in the period from January to next May.
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