Since March 14, several outbreaks of a mega forest fire have been recorded that have affected multiple communities in the state of Mérida.
According to regional authorities, as of noon on March 15, the fire has affected 50 hectares of the Libertador and Campo Elías municipalities in the state of Mérida.
Among the affected communities are: El Salado, Bajo and Alto, Campo Claro, Los Curos, Pan de Azúcar and the road to the town of Jají. Where the domestic gas plant in the area is located, which they are attending to preventively, preventing the fire from reaching the area.
The commander of the Mérida Comprehensive Defense Operational Zone (ZODI), Rubén Belzares, informed News All Now that the fire has several active sources. Until noon this Friday, forest firefighters had controlled only 60% of the hectares.
“This fire could have had some pretty delicate considerations. Since in the sector there are several gas plants that serve the entire population of Merida,” said the commander. Who reported that since 4 in the morning they have been mitigating the areas that could have greater consequences.
In this sense, he indicated that army and National Guard crews are operational, accompanying the firefighters of the state of Mérida and Civil Protection. To prevent the fire from continuing to expand more and more kilometers.
“The fire is 60% under control. We maintain the actions to refresh the sectors where the sections of the flame could extend,” he commented.
Damage from the forest fire in Mérida
Colonel Yaneth Calderón, first commander of the Fire Department of the state of Mérida, reported that the fire caused a fire in the structure of a home.
“A fire broke out in the structure of an improvised or unplanned home. Just like a vehicle fire,” she pointed out.
Likewise, he assured that they are doing the “point by point” count to know precisely the affected hectares. So far 50 hectares have been counted.
Community position
Citizen Miguel García, a resident of El Salado, reported that they are looking for water from other areas to put out the fire, because the community did not have it.
“Water is being produced to put out this fire. We are giving support here to the firefighters by bringing them water, ice, coffee, and helping them in whatever we can and however we can,” said the man from Meridian.
García also reported that the school located in Los Cursos, in the upper area, and the workers at the domestic gas filling plant were evacuated from the facilities to avoid damage.
On the other hand, an anonymous citizen informed Noticias Todos Ahora that the area always has fires, and because the land is not attended to preventively in the face of the heat wave in the entity, these outbreaks occur. In this sense, she recalled that in 2021 a smaller fire affected her house, and since that time they had not attended to the situation.
By Valeria Castro
The entry They report 50 hectares affected by a large forest fire in Mérida was first published in EL NACIONAL.