Bolivia’s defense ministry stated on Saturday that the government had declared a state of emergency owing to intense forest fires.
Defense Minister Edmundo Novillo stated at a press conference that the declaration of a national emergency would enable the government to promptly organize foreign assistance.
“This will allow us to have more agile and effective support from friendly countries and from international cooperation,” Novillo said.
According to Inpe, Brazil’s space research organization that tracks flames, Bolivia has had the highest amount of wildfires since 2010, with at least 3 million hectares (7.5 million acres) destroyed this year.
After an exceptionally early fire season that began destroying the nation in July due to a drought, South America is currently experiencing its peak fire season, which lasts from August through September.
Bolivia’s government has requested foreign assistance because its firefighting personnel are overburdened. Some of the indigenous volunteers were forced to flee as they attempted to safeguard property near the Chiquitano forest, which stretches north of Concepcion and borders Brazil and Paraguay, where they cultivate crops and feed animals.
Major city fires have also occurred in Brazil, and the Amazon rainforest is experiencing its worst start in 20 years following a record drought.
