RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The National Emergency Secretariat (SEN) reported today (23) that the fire in Bolivia has spread to Paraguay’s Chaco area, through Milestone 7, on the border with that country.
SEN stated that firefighting efforts are being intensified amid an alarming number of forest fire outbreaks. It further reported on this new critical point through a Twitter post, where the exact location of the fire is shown in a picture.
This afternoon, in Base 7, Estancia El Tigre (Paraguayan Chaco), SEN teams, volunteer firefighters, Armed Forces and pilots were standing guard at the site, faced with the approaching fire.
SEN Minister Joaquín Roa yesterday said, after a meeting with president Mario Abdo Benítez, that preparations were being made to prevent the fire from reaching Paraguayan territory. The SEN teams were joined by volunteer firefighters and Armed Forces personnel, who will work from Air Force Bases 5 and 7.
At this time, the fire has crossed the border and the fact that it is advancing continues to be a concern for those involved.
Current situation of wildland areas
Regarding the wildland areas affected by the fires and their current situation, the following information was provided:
Cerro Corá Park: park rangers received help from the National Emergency Secretariat (SEN), with hydrant cars and aircraft throughout the afternoon.
Volunteer firefighters from PJC, Lambaré, Villa Elisa, PJC Red Firefighters, the SEN team and the National Navy worked from early in the morning fighting fire outbreaks near the central station, and after noon they moved to the Lorito Picada area, where the fire also reached.
Caazapá National Park: Park rangers located fire outbreaks, but they were controlled.
San Luis National Park: Firefighting efforts continue, and the administrative headquarters is out of danger.
Paso Bravo National Park: Park rangers are still fighting the fires. The administrative headquarters are not in danger either.
Defensores del Chaco National Park: Park rangers from this Protected Area are moving to Post 7 to assist in the fight against the fire that spread to Paraguayan territory from Bolivia and is affecting the Cerro Chovoreca Natural Monument.