Governor of Santa Cruz celebrates extinguishment of wildfire in Otuquis National Park

The governor of Santa Cruz, Juan Pablo Velasco, has announced the successful extinguishment of the wildfire that raged through the Otuquis National Park and Integrated Management Natural Area. The blaze, which had raised concerns for the region's natural heritage and nearby communities, was brought under control through a concerted effort by multiple agencies.

Governor Velasco expressed his gratitude on social media to all those involved in the firefighting efforts, emphasizing their "effort, commitment and love for our land." He specifically thanked the Departmental Secretariat of Environment, the Secretariat of Citizen Security, firefighters, brigadistas, technicians, and other institutions that contributed to suppressing the flames. Their work prevented the fire from escalating into a larger emergency.

A critical component in managing the wildfire was the System for Early Warning of Forest Fires (Satif). This tool enabled the timely identification and monitoring of heat sources within the Otuquis area, providing crucial alerts to municipalities. Satif delivered daily updates on the fire's progression, weather conditions, and affected areas, which significantly aided decision-making during the operations.

Governor Velasco highlighted the importance of investing in technology for fire prevention and response, reaffirming the provincial government's commitment to strengthening coordination, innovation, and response capabilities. He stated that the information provided by Satif was instrumental in guiding the deployment of appropriate machinery, tools, and resources, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the firefighting operations and protecting vulnerable populations and biodiversity.