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A forest fire of large dimensions has mobilized nearly a hundred firefighters, forest rangers, and forestry workers since this Sunday in the province of Holguín, specifically in the area of Los Ñames de Guamuta, in the municipality of Cueto.
According to the official newspaper Granma, the flames advanced on Monday morning towards Pinares de Mayarí, an area that had already been affected by a major disaster in 2023.
The situation was confirmed by the Provincial Center for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction, which coordinates with the Provincial Civil Defense in the response to the fire.
Official Hidalgo Feria stated that the fire is affecting a remote area that is hard to access and has limited communication options, which complicates the firefighting efforts, despite the use of some technical resources.
The provincial heads of the fire departments and forest rangers immediately went to the site and are leading the ongoing assessment of the situation.
So far, there has been no information on how many hectares have been damaged by the flames, but local authorities are working intensively to prevent the fire from spreading to other forested areas in eastern Cuba, the cited news portal emphasized.
The official spokesperson Emilio Rodríguez Pupo shared a video on Facebook showing several individuals battling the flames.
"Fighting a forest fire in Pinares de Mayarí. Forces from the Forestry Corps, flora and fauna departments, and the agroforestry company are tackling the blaze on three main fronts: Loma de Guilarte, Los Ñames, and the vicinity of Los Exóticos," Rodríguez reported in an updated statement about the situation.
According to preliminary assessments, more than 80 hectares had been affected by the fire by Monday afternoon.
The fire started around noon on Sunday in areas of the Los Ñames hill and has spread rapidly due to the terrain conditions and winds in the area.
Authorities are still on the scene, working intensively to prevent the flames from spreading to areas of high ecological value, he emphasized.
Firefighters and park rangers in the province of Guantánamo extinguished a forest fire that broke out in the municipality of Baracoa.
According to a report from the local newspaper Venceremos on its social media, the fire consumed 1.5 hectares in an area of Cayo Güin, a region with a large forested area.
A large forest fire in Torre Vieja, in the province of Pinar del Río, was brought under control last Friday after devastating 400 hectares of forests, mostly pine trees, as reported by Radio Guamá.
The fire started on Tuesday afternoon in the mountains of the municipality of San Juan y Martínez, specifically in the Torre Vieja area, about 25 kilometers from the municipal seat.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Forest Fire in Holguín
Where did the forest fire in Holguín originate?
The forest fire originated in the Los Ñames area of Guamuta, in the municipality of Cueto, province of Holguín. From there, the flames spread towards Pinares de Mayarí, an area that had already been affected by a major disaster in 2023.
How many hectares have been affected by the fire in Holguín so far?
According to preliminary assessments, more than 80 hectares have been affected by the fire as of Monday afternoon. Local authorities are working intensely to prevent the flames from spreading to other areas of high ecological value.
What difficulties are the authorities facing in the efforts to extinguish the fire in Holguín?
The affected area is difficult to access and has limited communication options, which complicates firefighting efforts despite the use of some technical means. The terrain conditions and the winds in the area have facilitated the rapid spread of the fire.
How does the magnitude of the fire in Holguín compare to other recent fires in Cuba?
The fire in Holguín has affected more than 80 hectares so far, while a recent fire in Pinar del Río destroyed 400 hectares before being brought under control. Both incidents reflect the vulnerability of forested areas in Cuba to adverse weather conditions and the lack of resources for an effective response.
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