During January of this year, more than 80 events occurred in Cuba. forest firesa figure that marks a new historical record for that month in the country, according to the records of the Ranger Corps (CGB).
In a recent meeting of the Coordinating Group of the 2023 National Campaign against these events, it was reported that 87% of these claims were extinguished before they covered the five hectares, according to a note posted on the website of the Ministry of the Interior (Minint).
87% of the forest fires in January (more than 80) were extinguished before five hectares, an indicator that shows the effectiveness of the system and its rapid response. The evolution of the drought warns about the need to prevent. #RangersCuba #Campaign2023 pic.twitter.com/36SxnoPWwp
— MININT_CUBA (@minint_cuba) February 11, 2023
According to the report, this indicator constitutes a sample of the effectiveness of the system and the rapid response of all the factors involved in confronting this type of fire.
The information adds that the most affected provinces in that period were Pinar del Río, Artemisa, Holguín, Camagüey and the Isla de la Juventud Special Municipality.
Among those that caused the most impact are those that occurred in Loma del Hierro, in Camagüey, with an affectation of 657.8 hectares, and the one that began at the end of the month in Llaneta del Prado, in the Holguin municipality of Mayarí, with a affectation of more than 1,100 hectares, already reported under control.
Large forest fire considered controlled in the mountainous area of Mayarí
Experts indicate that the tendency for the drought to worsen in the coming months makes it necessary to adopt preventive measures throughout the island to prevent these fires from starting.
It also transpired that more than 90% of the registered forest fires originate from the negligence of people.
According to CGB statistics, in January uncontrolled burning for various purposes caused 53% of fires; poachers and fishermen accounted for 25%; irresponsible smokers 19%; beehive castrates 8% and vehicles without spark arresters 6%, notes the Minint note.
