A large fire, and out of control, affects some 100 hectares (ha) of the mountainous area of Pinares de MayariHolguin.
The journalist Emilio Rodríguez, from the local radio station, explained to Latin Press (PL) that the smoke from the incident affects some 600 inhabitants of the towns of Vivero 2 and Pueblo Nuevo.
Members of the Ranger Corps (CGB), firefighters, residents and other forces fight the fire that started on Saturday due to strong winds and the prolonged drought prevailing in the region.
The incident approaches an area close to the Mensura-Piloto National Park, which occupies an area of more than 8,480 hectares, where endemic species of Cuban flora and fauna are located, according to the agency. Latin Press.
A few weeks ago, another forest fire broke out, causing severe damage to more than 1,000 hectares of forests in Mayarí.
Cuba recorded more than 80 forest fires in January this year, a high number for that month, according to reports from the island’s CGB. The areas most affected by the forest fires were the provinces of Pinar del Río and Guantánamo.
In 2022, the country reported a total of 284 forest fires that affected more than 1,800 hectares of forest, 90% of which were caused, according to the Ranger Corps.
The origin of a good part of these disasters is attributed to the unauthorized burning of herbs or sugar cane, the use of vehicles without spark arrestor mesh and also the activity of poachers.
Due to natural causes, only 2 or 3% of the statistics were recorded in the period, mainly derived from the impact of electrical discharges, the increase in temperatures and climate change, among others, indicated the person in charge of the Cuban forest rangers.
The critical period for forest fires on the island runs from January 1 to May 31, coinciding with the driest season.
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.
Efe/OnCuba.
