Bolivia declares national emergency amid devastating wildfires

Bolivia has declared a national emergency in response to wildfires that have ravaged more than 3.8 million hectares of forests and grasslands across the country.

Defence Minister Edmundo Novillo announced the emergency measure, stating it will facilitate quicker and more effective cooperation with international partners for humanitarian and technical assistance, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Novillo addressed the media alongside Environment Minister Alan Lisperguer, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

As of now, 72 fires are active throughout Bolivia. The eastern region of Santa Cruz is the hardest hit, with 64 major hotspots reported. In the north-central area of Beni, there are six active fires, while La Paz in the west and Pando in the north each have one ongoing blaze, according to Xinhua news agency.

The wildfires are threatening crucial ecological areas, including the Noel Kempff Mercado National Park and protected regions in San Ignacio de Velasco and Concepcion, all located in Santa Cruz.

“The fires are still burning across large parts of the country, but we are mobilizing all available resources to bring them under control,” Lisperguer stated.

In response to the crisis, Bolivian President Luis Arce announced that a team of Brazilian specialists has arrived in San Ignacio de Velasco to assist with firefighting efforts and coordinate the response.

The national emergency declaration underscores Bolivia’s commitment to combating the devastating wildfires and securing international support to manage the ongoing disaster.