LIMA, Peru (AP) — Wildfires in Peru have killed at least 15 people and burned more than 3,000 hectares (11.58 square miles) of farmland and natural areas, authorities said Monday.
Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzén told reporters that the fires were caused by human activity and that 22 of the 24 regions that make up the country have active outbreaks. He added that clouds, smoke and wind were hampering the operations of the aircraft available to fight the fires.
A Civil Defense report seen by The Associated Press indicates that at least 15 people have died and another 98 have been injured in the fires since July. Of the fatalities, 10 have died in the past two weeks and more than 1,800 people have been affected. The livestock sector is said to have lost 334 animals.
The Peruvian National Service of Forests and Wildlife, SERFOR, indicated that the effects of Climate change worsen the conditions that promote the spread of fire.
“Extremely strong winds and prolonged droughts dry out vegetation, turning it into a highly flammable fuel,” said Romina Liza, a specialist in forest fire monitoring and management at SERFOR. “This can cause the fire to spread rapidly.”
According to Juan Urcariegui, head of civil protection, some of the most complicated fires are in the Amazon region, which borders Ecuador, a local television channel reported.
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