Attachments
The United Nations Resident Coordinator's office
in Bolivia informs that a massive fire broke out on 17 August in the forest
of the Sama Hills National Park, located in the Cercado province of the
Tarija department in southern Bolivia. The fires started apparently caused
by slash-and-burn activities, a common traditional practice, and were fueled
by strong winds. They are now spreading toward Tarija City.
So far between 15,000 and 20,000 ha have
been burned. The fires have affected the settlements of Sama, Tucumilla,
Iscayachi, Lazareto, San Andres, Victoria, Coimata, Erquis Norte and Sur.