Valle Nuevo forest fire under control; cleanup efforts continue

The forest fire that erupted in the La Cueva area of Valle Nuevo National Park in the Dominican Republic is now under control, according to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. Firefighters and protected area staff worked uninterruptedly for 36 hours to contain the blaze.

Brigades remain on the ground conducting liquidation and monitoring operations to prevent any resurgence of the fire. The situation is under constant surveillance. The fire occurred during a period typically prone to forest fires in the region, characterized by high temperatures, low rainfall, and dry conditions that increase ecosystem vulnerability.

These natural conditions, combined with factors like strong winds and human activity, heighten the risk and spread of forest fires. As a precautionary measure, the Ministry temporarily closed Valle Nuevo National Park to the public. Access will be restored once conditions are deemed safe for visitors.

Valle Nuevo National Park is part of the Central Mountain Range, a vital region for the country's water resources. It is known as "Madre de las Aguas" (Mother of Waters) due to its significant contribution to various productive activities and its role as a source of water, alongside other protected areas like Armando Bermúdez, José del Carmen Ramírez, and Ébano Verde Scientific Reserve.