Extreme Drought in Paraguay
The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Paraguay, informs that the persistent
drought, worsening since June last year, continues to affect the north of Paraguay, and in
particular the Departments of Concepcion, San Pedro and Chaco Central. The area was also
affected by frost in May and June last year, combined with fires and resulting burned
pastures. The current climate conditions are unstable, with temperatures reaching over
35°C. Not much rain has been registered so far.
The Government of Paraguay declared a state of emergency in the Department of Concepcion
on 24 September 1999. The districts of Horqueta, Loreto, Concepción, Yby Yau and Belen
are the worst hit by the drought, which has affected 15,000 persons and 11,307 ha of crops
on small farms producing limited quantities of commercial goods and for self consumption.
Food assistance and potable water are very much needed.
For further information see the Paraguay - Drought OCHA Situation Report No. 2 of 23 March 2000
Fig.1. This is the latest available NOAA-14 POES AVHRR
image (20 March 2000) showing only a few fires (red dots) in Paraguay,
Argentina and Brazil.
(Source: NOAA/OSEI)
Fig.2. The above NOAA / AVHRR image (19 January 2000)
shows the situation in Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil during high-level fire
activity in January 2000.
(Source: NOAA/OSEI)
General Remarks on Fire in Ecosystems of Paraguay
The main vegetation types affected by fire in Paraguay are dry and semi-humid Chaco (Chaco seco and semi-húmedo). The vegetation of the Chaco region is, a mixture of savannas, thorn shrublands and hardwood forests alternating in belts and patches. Evidence suggests that fire has been a natural component of the Chaco ecosystem for thousands of years. Indians used fire for warfare and hunting. In fact, "Chaco" means "a site for hunting" in the Quichua language. During the dry season large fires regularly sweep across the savannas and shrublands and on some occasions hit the hardwood forest that burn with high intensity. Tolerance of species to fire is mixed. The fire cycle is around 3-5 years in savannas. Some of the Chaco areas are "Palmares", open palm stands with periodically waterlogged grass understorey which are fire adapted.
Despite the ecological adaptations to fire and the historic evidence of fire in the Chaco system, the increasing land-use pressure leads to more frequent fires. During exceptionally extended droughts such as the current one the fires cause considerable damage and spread to those places which normally do not burn.
Please also visit the GFMC archive where remotely sensed fire imageries can be found under "Brazil and Neighbouring Countries".