Ecobreves – HONDURAS: Forest Fires Claim 17,000 Hectares

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TEGUCIGALPA, Apr 27 2009 (IPS) - In the first three months of this year, forest fires destroyed 17,000 hectares of forest in the southern, northeastern and Atlantic regions of Honduras, say official sources. Romeo Vásquez, chief of the Armed Forces, told Tierramérica that the intense three-month heat wave is one of the main factors behind the spread of fires, which totaled more than 500 incidents in that period.

“We are doubling efforts to reduce the advance of the fires, despite the extensive area of the national territory, which makes it difficult to reach all places,” he said, after announcing training for some 1,000 soldiers specializing in environment and disaster management.

The smoke and high temperatures are keeping the main cities under an intense haze, delaying international flights in the capital and worsening the incidence of pneumonia and bronchitis.