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 Editorials | Environmental | March 2006 
Wood Debris From Mexico's Hurricanes Could Spark Explosive Forest Fires
 Ioan Grillo - Associated Press
| | Mexico's forests are inhabited by about 12 million people, mostly Indian. |
Mexico City Mexican officials on Friday warned that wood debris left by hurricanes and an unusually hot spring could spark lethal forest fires this year.
National Forestry Commissioner Manuel Reed said emergency workers were on alert for extremely dangerous fires in southern Mexico, which was ravaged by storms last year.
Hurricanes Emily, Stan and Wilma hit Mexico between July and October, killing 75 people and causing US$2.15 billion (euro1.8 billion) worth of damage, mostly in the southern states of Yucatan, Quintana Roo and Oaxaca.
The hurricanes that passed by the Mexican Southeast left a huge amount of organic material piled up, Reed said. These are critical delicate zones in which a single spark could cause an uncontrollable disaster.
The temperature in Mexico in March has been an average of nearly 1 degree Celsius (33.8 degrees Fahrenheit) higher than in recent years, he said. Even a tiny hike in temperature increases the chances of fires dramatically, he said.
Forest fires already have killed four people across the country this year, Reed said, adding that the most dangerous months for fires in Mexico are in April and May.
The worst year in recent history for fires in Mexico was 1998, when blazes claimed the lives of 47 people.
Reed said the Forestry Commission has more than 7,000 officials on standby to put out fires and has set up an emergency hot line to receive information about any burning woodland.
The commission is also putting out leaflets urging the public to be careful with any cigarettes or glass bottles they leave in forests.
Judges can hand out prison sentences to people who start forest fires, Reed said.
Mexico's forests are inhabited by about 12 million people, mostly Indians, according to the government. |
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