Tarija declares emergency amid raging wildfires; investigation launched into suspected arson

Tarija has declared a state of emergency as wildfires continue to rage, prompting authorities to concentrate mitigation efforts in the affected region. The ongoing blazes have complicated firefighting operations, particularly due to unpredictable wind patterns.

Investigations have been launched to ascertain whether some of the fires were deliberately ignited. In connection with this, a man was apprehended on suspicion of starting fires in the department. The Departmental Emergency Operations Committee (COED) has declared an emergency to bolster firefighting capabilities.

President Rodrigo Paz Pereira urged a thorough investigation into the origin of the fires. Preliminary aerial surveys revealed isolated heat sources that may not be connected to existing blazes, raising concerns about intentional arson. "What we cannot comprehend is that there are people who are causing this damage, and we hope the investigation will identify the culprits," Paz stated.

While fires in Liriuni, Cochabamba, and parts of Santa Cruz have been controlled, the fire in Otuquis remains active. Firefighting teams are working in challenging conditions in Tarija, with two helicopters deployed and approximately 400 firefighters engaged across all affected areas. The search for those responsible for the fires is ongoing, with one arrest made in Sella.

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What we cannot comprehend is that there are people who are causing this damage, and we hope the investigation will identify the culprits.