Efforts continue to control fire in Pinares de Mayarí

Holguin, Feb 21 (RHC) Today is a decisive day to control the fire that since Saturday has been affecting the mountainous area of Pinares de Mayari, in eastern Cuba.

Preliminary data estimate that the fire has already spread over an area of more than 300 hectares of this protected natural area, where specialized forces are trying to stop its advance toward the depths of the Mensura Piloto National Park.

Journalist Emilio Rodríguez, who is on the scene, pointed out the serious threat of the fire to the area of Pinalito, rich in pine and coffee plantations, as well as to the locality where the Villa Pinares de Mayarí hotel is located.

Rodriguez informed that on Monday afternoon the fire crossed one of the trails protecting the Loma de la Mensura, despite the efforts of the Forest Rangers, Firefighters, the Mayari Agroforestry Company, and other organizations from the provinces of Holguin and Santiago de Cuba.

Precisely, the President of the nation, Miguel Díaz-Canel, highlighted the work of these troops, who were also joined by comrades from the Revolutionary Armed Forces and volunteers from the community.

Major Elio Ramírez, from the Civil Defense of that territory of the Turquino Plan in Holguín, explained that the current characteristics of the area, affected by severe drought for months, have favored the intensity of the flames due to the abundant organic matter and the predominance of the cubensis pine species.

Mensura-Pilotos National Park covers an area of more than 8,480 hectares. (Source: PL)