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Ombudsman: Forest fires are a "structural problem" in Bolivia, calls for prevention
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Environment & Climate

Ombudsman: Forest fires are a "structural problem" in Bolivia, calls for prevention

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Newswire From a news agency Ongoing story
  • Bolivia's Ombudsman declared forest fires a "structural problem" requiring preventative measures.
  • The country has recorded 2,835 active heat foci so far in 2026, a significant increase from previous years.
  • The Ombudsman criticized the slow progress on prevention and restoration efforts mandated by a constitutional resolution.

Bolivia's Ombudsman has declared the nation's recurring forest fires a "structural problem," urging national and local authorities to implement preventative measures. Pedro Callisaya, the Ombudsman, stated that these fires are no longer just seasonal but have become a persistent issue impacting human rights and the environment.

Callisaya highlighted the need for the central, departmental, and municipal governments to fulfill their commitments to strengthen prevention efforts and to investigate and penalize illegal burning. He noted a dramatic increase in heat foci, rising from 1,736 in 2023 to 16,494 in 2024, with 2,835 recorded by July 21, 2026. This trend is causing significant concern, with fears of escalation in the coming months.

have left being something seasonal and have become a structural problem that affects human rights and Mother Earth.

— Pedro CallisayaBolivia's Ombudsman, Pedro Callisaya, described the recurring forest fires as a persistent issue impacting human rights and the environment.

A constitutional resolution from 2024 mandated various government levels to manage fire risks, focusing on prevention and environmental restoration. However, Callisaya reported minimal progress, with prevention efforts at only 6% completion and other related tasks like economic restoration and health support lagging below 2%.

The Ombudsman also pointed to weaknesses in emergency response activation by municipal and departmental committees and the precarious conditions faced by volunteer firefighters. Recent fires in Tarija burned 5,000 hectares, half the total from the previous year. These fires, often attributed to agricultural burning practices, occur annually between June and October, with 2024 seeing over twelve million hectares destroyed, marking Bolivia's worst environmental crisis.

only has 6% progress

— Pedro CallisayaThe Ombudsman criticized the slow pace of preventative measures, stating that fire prevention efforts have only reached 6% completion.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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