Latest update January 1st, 2025 1:00 AM
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Forest fires at Kanuku Mountains worry authorities
With reports of forest fires in the foothills of the Kanuku Mountains in Region 9, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment says that it recently facilitated an aerial assessment of the area.
Authorities are monitoring a number of fires in the Kanuku Mountains, Region Nine
According to the Ministry, it is working with its Region 9 partners, including affected communities and Conservation International to monitor the size, location and direction of movement and speed of the fires.
The first helicopter overflight was conducted last Thursday, April 9, with the forests, savannahs and mountains around Lethem, Moco Moco, St. Ignatius, Shulinab and Sand Creek villages being surveyed.
“Slow moving fires were observed in a number of areas surveyed, with the vast majority of the fires moving away from settlements and up the sides of the mountains. Much of these fires appear to be burning leaf litter and dry vegetation, and producing significant amounts of smoke that are affecting some areas. However, the fires have not yet been observed consuming mature trees or destroying large tracts of forest.”
The Ministry said that these fires are known to be unpredictable, and with their proliferation being compounded by the extended dry conditions in Region 9, the situation will continue to be monitored.
“The data collected, including any relevant satellite imagery, will be used to strengthen the assessments and mitigation efforts currently being undertaken in the area by the Government. The Ministry calls on all stakeholders to use caution during this period, particularly as communities begin clearing farmlands, and to work together to address the challenges being faced by these affected regions.”
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