As Wildfires Rage in Bolivia, Smoke Turns Day into Night – Reuters

By Santiago Limachi and Daniel Ramos

SANTA CRUZ, Bolivia/LA PAZ – In the lowland Bolivian region of Santa Cruz, currently experiencing some of its worst wildfires on record, nurse Raúl Gutiérrez described the relentless sting of smoke that fills the air, leaving daytime visibility akin to night.

This South American nation is on track for a potentially record-setting year for fires, a situation worsened by prolonged drought and land clearances related to the booming cattle and grain production in the affluent farming city of Santa Cruz.

The fires have raged for weeks, but in recent days, the smoke over urban areas such as Santa Cruz and Cochabamba intensified, obscuring city monuments. Air pollution levels have reached alarming highs, making it one of the worst in the world.

"The smoke is persistent and strong. We hope it dissipates, but there are no signs of rain," Gutiérrez stated, noting that air quality is at its worst during dawn, dusk, and midnight. He added that many individuals are suffering from respiratory issues, eye irritation, and headaches, leading to the suspension of school classes.

"The sun practically has an orange hue; it looks just like the moon at night," he remarked.

Breathing in pollution from wildfire smoke can have fatal consequences or lead to long-term respiratory issues. A study published in June highlighted that wildfire smoke has caused at least 52,000 premature deaths in California over the past decade.

Satellite images have revealed alarming levels of particulate matter and carbon monoxide in the atmosphere. Data from an official Brazilian agency indicates that Bolivia is on track to experience its highest number of active fires on record for September.

Diego Rojas, head of the Department of Water and Atmospheric Pollution at Santa Cruz City Hall, advised residents to avoid outdoor activities and to wear face masks to combat the smog’s effects. "We’ve had five consecutive days of hazardous air quality for the public," he noted.

The fires have led to school closures and the suspension of some commercial flights. President Luis Arce has called for international assistance and emphasized that the government will continue efforts until the fires are extinguished.

Wilber Melgar, a member of an Indigenous community in the Beni region north of Santa Cruz, attributed the increasing incidents of fires to ranchers who clear vast areas of land for grazing, often employing slash-and-burn techniques. "Right now, the Amazon is burning," he stated.

In addition to Bolivia’s struggles, neighboring Brazil has also confronted a challenging fire season, with blazes covering major cities in smoke and vast areas of the Amazon rainforest ablaze. The larger region is witnessing its most severe fires since 2010.

In Bolivia, Santa Cruz has experienced significant deforestation, losing about 8 million hectares (approximately 19.8 million acres) over the last two decades, according to Alcides Vadillo, a researcher at the Tierra Foundation. This loss has contributed to the increase in fire outbreaks.

"Last year, Santa Cruz was the most polluted city in the world for a week. This year, it could happen again, which poses immediate dangers to public health," Vadillo warned.