Almost all forest fires in Cuba are caused by human action

Unauthorized burning of grass or cane, the use of vehicles without spark arresters and the activity of poachers were the main causes that triggered accidents.

1 | 19/01/2023 - 12:43pm (GMT-5)

Cargando — Fire in Alejandro de Humboldt National Park Photo © Venceremos/ Courtesy of CITMA

Incendio en Parque Nacional Alejandro de Humboldt © Venceremos/ Cortesía del CITMA — Fire in Alejandro de Humboldt National Park Photo © Venceremos/ Courtesy of CITMA

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Almost all theforest fires in Cuba they are caused by people, according to Cuban rangers.

About 90 percent of fires in forested areas originate fromunauthorized burning of grass or cane, the use of vehicles without spark arresters and the activity of poachers, said Manuel Lamas Gómez, head of the Cuban Forest Ranger Corps, according to a report from theCuban News Agency (ACN).

These causes, explained the manager, represent almost the entire origin of the fires, and contrast with the natural ones, which account for only two or three percent of the total and are mainly due to the impact of electrical discharges, the increase in temperatures and climate change, among others.

Lamas warned that the beginning of the year, especially March and April, is the time of greatest risk for the occurrence of forest fires, since they are the months that coincide with the dry period and 70 to 75% of the incidents are concentrated at this stage. registered in an entire year.

Although Cuban rangers use aerial and satellite detection means and there is a "wide warning network" integrated into rural communities, human action continues to threaten green areas in Cuba.

"The precision of the observation posts and the quick action of the rangers made it possible that in recent years the flames have been extinguished before destroying more than five hectares (ha) in 75% of the cases," said Lamas.

The head of the Cuban forest rangers insisted that the solution is not in the prohibition of the use of fire for certain agricultural and economic activities, but in the "transformation of behavior and the responsible use of it."

In the first five months of 2022,284 forest fires in Cuba, the period of greatest risk for the occurrence of this type of events.

The majority took place in the province ofPinewood of the river, the most affected by the passage of Hurricane Ian last September.

Although the total number of forestry incidents reported during 2022 is lower than those recorded in the previous two years, and small ones predominated, representing 83%, some very large ones were recorded inPinewood of the river andMayabeque.