Forest fire continues in Dominican Southwest
Forest fire continues in Dominican Southwest
5 March 2007
published by www.dominicantoday.com
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic — Strong winds, drought and the difficult access makes it difficult to control the fire affecting since Saturday the Baoruco Range National Park, in the Dominican Southwest.
The head of the Environment Ministrys forest fire protection and control, Gerónimo Abreu, said that its possible to have it under control by tomorrow and that it does not pose a danger for human populations.
He said that brigades from Barahona and Pedernales yesterday traced fire defense lines since yesterday, with teams from Duvergé, Azua and San Juan joining the effort from noon today.
The official said that they have yet to determine the size of the forests affected or its causes, though discarded the clearings made by farmers.
Meteorologists yesterday predicted that the droughts that affects the country could continue until the end of next month and that the temperatures will increase slightly.
The Baoruco Ranges highest peak is 2,367 meters high, is home to 26 of the islands 27 endemic bird species, and covers Independencia, Pedernales and Barahona provinces.
