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Some 30 hectares of the Topes de Collantes Natural Park, a vast protected area in the mountains of the municipality of Trinidad, in Sancti Spíritus, were damaged due to a forest fire caused by “human negligence”, official sources reported.
The fire was extinguished after more than 24 hours by the forces of the Forest Rangers of the Ministry of the Interior and a brigade from the Gaviota Complex, belonging to the military business group GAESA of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR), according to a report from the official newspaper Escambray.
Around 35 men extinguished the fire in a complex operation, due to the rugged terrain in that mountainous area, located about 800 meters above sea level, noted Octes Alberto Conesa, group leader of the Forest Rangers in the protected area.
"We had to make paths through the woods to reach the burned areas and extinguish the fires. Up here, the fire truck can't get through, so we have to carry water in backpacks and walk through these rocky hills filled with caves where you could easily fall if you're not careful. The wind was also an adversary against us," the specialist explained.
Engineer Alexeis Rodríguez, director of environmental protection at the Gaviota Complex of GAESA, stated that the fire started near the highway due to human negligence, but did not provide further details. The flames spread rapidly, covering nearly 30 hectares of the area, which has significant scenic values.
The authorities assured that the "economic impacts are minimal" and the environmental impact resulted in damage, primarily "in areas covered with weeds and in some species of flora and fauna."
The fire also affected the electrical service, as utility poles were burned down by the flames. A team of workers from the Electric Company of Trinidad and the Operations Center of Sancti Spíritus restored the service, reported Escambray.
The first five months of the year are the critical period for the occurrence of wildfires in Cuba.
Between January and May 2024, 326 such incidents were recorded in the country, which resulted in damage to over 2,787 hectares of forests, according to data from the Forest Rangers Corps.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Wildfire in Topes de Collantes Natural Park
How many hectares were affected by the fire in Topes de Collantes?
The wildfire in the Topes de Collantes Natural Park affected about 30 hectares of this protected area in Trinidad, Sancti Spíritus.
What was the cause of the fire in Topes de Collantes Natural Park?
The fire was caused by human negligence, according to the local authorities responsible for the area.
What impact did the fire have on the flora and fauna of the Topes de Collantes Natural Park?
The fire caused damage primarily in areas covered by weeds and to some species of flora and fauna, although the authorities stated that the economic impact was minimal.
How was the fire in Topes de Collantes extinguished?
The fire was extinguished by forces from the Ministry of the Interior's Forest Rangers and a brigade from the Gaviota Complex of the FAR, who worked for more than 24 hours to control the incident despite the challenges posed by the terrain.
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