The government banned open burning between now, November 1 and April 30 next year, in a quest to reduce the chances of forest fires during the next summer season.
He Minister of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP), Fernando Mattosindicated last Tuesday at a press conference that although the climate outlook is favorable for the non-occurrence of major fires In the next summer season, the human factor should not be neglected, nor should the technical recommendations given by the government.
In addition, Mattos pointed out that multidisciplinary work is essential to combat firesand that coordination improved since the large fires on the country’s coast at the end of 2021, which affected an area of approximately 37,000 hectares.
The head of the MGAP also warned that the country is going through a condition of variability, where 15 days without rain is enough for plant surfaces or uncleaned land to trigger fires.
Regarding this, the minister commented that areas of greatest risk of ignition are on the coast, due to the movement and permanence of people. At this point, he recalled the importance of avoiding lighting fires outdoors in places where it is prohibited.
For his part, the director of the National Emergency System (Sinae), Santiago Caraméshighlighted the role of the media in amplifying messages of care to the general population.
In turn, he appreciated that 80% of rural schools gave workshops to educate schoolchildren on the subject.
The fires affected about 26,000 hectares in 2022
On the other hand, the head of the National Fire Department, Ricardo Riañorecalled that in 2022 there was no need to mourn the loss of human life, nor of homes affected by fireswhich affected about 26,000 hectares during the year, as opposed to 38,000 hectares in 2021.
Riaño also highlighted the fact that seven early detection cameras were installed on the Atlantic coast, something that allowed thousands of hectares of native forests and fields to be safeguarded.
Source: Ambito
