The control of the forest fires in the Sian Ka’an biosphere ecological reserve, in Quintana Roo, which has consumed 600 hectares of grasslands, has been complicated by the lack of personnel to combat this type of in the National Forestry Commission (Conafor), derived from federal budget cuts.
In the case of Quintana Roo, these cuts have directly affected the State Coordination of Civil Protection (Coeproc), says its owner, Adrián Martínez Ortega.
Read: Fire affects Sian Ka’an biosphere ecological reserve in QRoo
According to Martínez Ortega, Quintana Roo suffered a budget cut of 50% with which they were also forced to dispense with at least a dozen people specialized to fight this type of fire and who knew in detail the area that is now sinierated.
Specifically, he pointed to the case of Javier May Chan, who was dismissed from his position as legal understudy to the Conafor even though his work had helped to reduce the number of fires.
In interview for the Maya Day, the coeproc owner says that in meetings with the holders of the Conafor and the National Water Commission (Conagua) he warned of how budget cuts would affect state units to fight these fires.
Martínez Ortega will meet in the coming days with the regional coordinators of the country and will seek a meeting with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to raise the impact spending on the budget cuts to the Conafor.
Read: 82 wildfires in 21 states, Conafor reports; Oaxaca, Guerrero and Jalisco, states with more cases
Faced with this situation, the Sustainable Tulum Network asked for donations to the population of metal gardener rakes, spliced machetes, chainsaw oil, machete limes and claws with water for brigadiers.
The Tulum Network announced that the collection will continue on Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at its tulum headquarters, Quintana Roo.
At least 600 hectares consumed
This Sunday, state authorities reported that forest fires in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Ecological Reserve have affected more than 600 hectares of grasslands of vegetation composed of herbaceous plants, usually high stems and shrubs.
On his Twitter account the Conafor detailed that there are 2 wildfires in Sian Ka’an, one on the sole Shroud which reports 100% control and 90% liquidation.
While the other is registered in the Muyil Core Zone and is already coordinatedly serviced under the Incident Command System.
A total of 100 people from 7 different brigades work in the area to stifle the fire. In addition to the Conafor staff, the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (Conanp) participates. It also supports a helicopter from the Ministry of National Defense (Sedena).
In case the work of these brigades is not sufficient, support will be provided with staff from the secretariats of the National Defence and the Navy.
With information from The Maya Day.
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