Paraguay in flames: large-scale fires reported nationwide

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The whole staff of volunteer firefighters is working to stop the spread of fires occurring in several parts of the country as a result of the heat wave and the thoughtlessness of some people who are causing the fire outbreaks, rapidly spreading due to weather conditions and drought.

Social networks yesterday afternoon flooded with apocalyptic images, as seen in videos shared from Iruña, in the department of Alto Paraná, where huge smoke and fire columns covered large expanses of land.

According to reports from Emergency 132, in several points of the country volunteer firefighters are working to control the fires.

Although fires have been reported for several days due to the heat wave, coupled with strong winds and the dryness of the grasslands that are fuel for the spread of fire, on Sunday there were reports of major fire outbreaks in areas such as Villeta-Nueva Italia, Puerto Falcón, Villa Florida and Pilar, among others.

In the capital, a new fire was confirmed in the San Miguel bank, located near the Costanera de Asunción, where grass fires have been burning constantly for several days. Likewise, in the department of Paraguarí, a large fire was reported in a rural area, where firefighters have been working for over 12 hours.

Paraguay’s Volunteer Fire Brigade (CBVP) Captain Eduardo Méndez reported that virtually all headquarters have fires in their respective areas, which makes it difficult for the crews to leave their jurisdiction to assist in other requests for help. He also noted that the entire volunteer staff has been working for 15 days with no rest. “We are experiencing very difficult days,” he added.

The work of volunteer firefighters is not limited to firefighting, as they also rescue farm and wild animals trapped in the flames.