A fire on Cunagua beach, in the municipality of Bolivia, in Ciego de Ávila, devastated at least 18 recreational houses this Sunday. The houses built of wood and thatched roofs “were reduced to ashes” because the fire, caused by residents of the place who cooked a soup in a wood stove, soon spread through the area, published the official newspaper Invader.
According to the Avilanian authorities, thanks to the prompt intervention of residents and the fire departments in Morón, Bolivia and Primero de Enero, the fire was prevented from causing more damage on this coast of the north coast of Ciego de Ávila, where more than 800 homes.
Aidy Jimenez, one of the residents of the place, shared a video on her Facebook account and blamed the tragedy on “irresponsible people” who left families without their homes to enjoy the summer. “The negligence of some who have no notion of the effects caused by a small spark,” like the one that caused the fire, she denounced.
Playa Cunagua is popular among Cubans for being a recreational place that is usually crowded during the summer.
Rosa María Moreno, in the Cunagüeros Facebook space, said she was one of those affected and saw how the fire consumed her house. Daimarys Fernández commented that it was a very painful day for those who were there and “we were just crying out for help.”
Meanwhile, in Holguín, the catastrophic fire continues which has already consumed more than 1,950 hectares. According to Radio Mayarí journalist Emilio Rodríguez Pupo, “200 hectares corresponded to the Mensura Piloto natural park.”
Rodríguez Pupo reported on his social networks that thanks to the actions carried out on Monday, the advance towards La Poza de Rafael was prevented. “It was very close, but it did not enter. We were almost surrounded by fire but we prepared the area well,” Noel Ricardo told the communicator.
The journalist regretted that the flames spread to “Vigindy and Pinarito, until reaching areas of the municipalities of Mella and San Luis.” The incident, which began on January 26, has caused severe damage to the forest in the El Prado mountainous area, located more than 700 meters above sea level.
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 intentional, 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.
Precisely in Pinar del Río this Monday, the Forces of the Ranger Corps and companies of the Agriculture system reported that the fire started last Friday in the Pilotos Popular Council, in the municipality of Consolación del Sur, was “controlled”, published the official media Guerrilla.
The deputy chief of the Vueltabajo Forest Ranger, Andy Luis Valle Rodríguez, confirmed to the Cuban News Agency that more than 95 hectares of coniferous trees and other species are estimated to be affected, while the causes of the incident are being investigated.
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.
________________________
Collaborate with our work:
The team of 14ymedio He is committed to doing serious journalism that reflects the reality of deep Cuba. Thank you for accompanying us on this long road. We invite you to continue supporting us, but this time becoming a member of our newspaper. Together we can continue transforming journalism in Cuba.
