Forest fire continues in western Cuba

Forest fire continues in western Cuba
www.chinaview.cn 2006-05-08 09:54:52

HAVANA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- A blaze that erupted on Friday had so far
affected 600 hectares of forest in western Cuba, the forest fire brigade
said on Sunday.

The brigade, along with forest workers, local volunteers and the
air force, was still fighting the fire in the Caguazal region in the
western province of Pinar del Rio.

More than 1,000 people were cutting paths through the forest to
halt the spread of the flames, while small aircraft and helicopters were
dousing water on the fire in areas which is hard to access.

Authorities had not explained how the fire started, but said the
drought, the worst in 105 years, had increased the risk of a serious
forest fire.

Pinar del Rio has been hit by 686 forest fires over the last 10
years, 45 percent of which began in May. Some 17,600 hectares of forest
have been damaged.

Since the beginning of this year, a total of 254 fires have hit the
region, damaging nearly 5,300 hectares of forest.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-05/08/content_4520722.htm