The Municipality of Piriapolis suspended the ascents to the cross located at the top of the Pan de Azúcar hill “until further notice” Due to the “heat wave” and the “high risk of fire”in a statement published on Tuesday.
The decision was made by the Breeding Station of Native Fauna of Cerro Pan de Azúcar (ECFA), dependent on the Maldonado Emergency Committee (Cecoed).
From this body they informed The Observer that this measure it is common “every year” at times of highest temperaturesbecause “visitors are decompensated”.
Added to this year is the fire risk: the forest fire index shared by the Uruguayan Institute of Meteorology (Inumet), known as the FWI (Fire Weather Index)indicates that the entire country is under a “very high” fire risk.
Last Sunday they gave 59 forest fires in the countryof which at least “two or three” occurred in each of the six regions in which the National Directorate of Firefighters divides the country, according to the spokesman for this organization, Simón Burlón.
From ECFA they foresee that the disqualification to ascend to the Sugar Loaf continue at least until “next week”, depending on the weather. They stressed that Rain is forecast for this Saturday.
According to the station, more than a thousand people ascend to the cross of the hill on weekends and holidays, with a constant flow of visitors during the year. Furthermore, around 2 thousand people visit the park daily that surrounds the hill.
