In news of another kind of fire, satellite imagery highlighted by a
Belizean who works at NASA shows that 117 fires were detected this
afternoon across Belize.
This is considered exceptionally high, and, on April fourth - just five
days ago, the Forestry Department warned that the they observed 73
fires in just one day.
They say that these are mainly agricultural fires, with some bordering
natural forested areas that pose a high risk for wildfires. They add
that some of these agricultural fires are also on the windward side of
major communities like Belmopan, where smoke inhalation by residents
can worsen respiratory ailments. The Forest Department is, quote
“urgently calling on the public, especially land developers, farmers
and local communities to cease burning at this time.â€
As we have reported, 2019’s drought conditions have continued into
2020, and are expected to be same or worse. Conditions are favourable
for a long and hot dry season this year.
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