Bolivia Declares National Emergency Amid Forest Fires, Reports Reuters

LA PAZ (Reuters) – Bolivia has declared a national emergency in response to devastating forest fires, as announced by the country’s defense ministry on Saturday.

During a press conference, Defense Minister Edmundo Novillo stated that this declaration would enable Bolivia to rapidly coordinate international assistance. “This will allow us to have more agile and effective support from friendly countries and international cooperation,” Novillo explained.

This year, Bolivia has experienced the highest number of wildfires since 2010, with approximately 3 million hectares (7.5 million acres) burned, according to Brazil’s space research agency that monitors such incidents.

The country is currently in the midst of its peak fire season, which typically occurs in August and September. This year’s fire season began unusually early in July, exacerbated by a drought.

Bolivia’s firefighting resources are heavily strained, prompting the government to seek international aid. Indigenous volunteers have endeavored to protect their agricultural lands near the Chiquitano forest, located north of Concepcion and extending towards Brazil and Paraguay, but some have been forced to evacuate due to the advancing flames.

In Brazil, significant wildfires are also occurring, with blazes affecting cities and the Amazon rainforest facing its worst start to the fire season in two decades, following a record drought.