Cuba Predicts an Increase in Forest Fires by 2018
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- Published: Tuesday, 16 January 2018 17:03
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Photo: PLHavana, Jan 16.- Cuban experts have estimated an increase in forest fires by 2018, due to the great number of trees brought down and foliage accumulated today on the ground.
This assessment is based on the damage caused to the forests by Hurricane Irma that hit the Caribbean nation in September 2017.
Among the provinces at high risk of being affected by fires are Villa Clara, Sancti Spiritus, Ciego de Avila and Camagüey.
According to a report from the Cuban Forest Ranger Corps (CGB), more than 350 fires occurred in 2017 in forested areas, with economic losses estimated at more than 27 million pesos.
The GB stated that more than 6,000 hectares were damaged, about 4,029 belong to natural forests and 2,644 to plantations; and to a lesser extent, more than 1,000 hectares of the swamp grasslands were affected.
About 91 percent of the fires also occurred from January to May, and the greatest losses were reported in the provinces of Mayabeque, Matanzas, Camagüey and Holguin. (PL)
