According to data from the Integrated Emergency System (ECU-911), 1,406 forest fires have been reported in the country since 2012. Due to this, Ecuador lost 196,429 hectares of forests, moors and natural vegetation.
The Ministry of the Environment, Water and Ecological Transition created the campaign “No more forest fires”, aimed at raising awareness among the population of the effects of these fires
On the other hand, from 2019 to date, 51,600 hectares of forests have been destroyed by fire. The Ministry of Environment, together with other organizations such as the Fire Department, ECU-911 and others, disseminated the data of the alarming situation to promote the campaign and fight against this problem.
The most affected areas are Guayaquil and Quito, with 502 and 206 fires, respectively. Glenda Ortega, Undersecretary of Natural Heritage, explained that in addition to putting the country’s green areas at risk, people are in danger, biodiversity is affected and it is a public expense for the country’s accounts. Ortega stated:
“Fires are one of the main causes of the destruction of forests, which favors the spread of pathogens. The protection of these places is the most effective and sustainable vaccine “
The intention of the campaign is to prevent pyromania and control agricultural burns, since most of the unfortunate events happen due to human activity. The Comprehensive Organic Penal Code (COIP) sanctions 3 to 6 months in prison for agricultural or domestic burns that cannot be controlled.
In addition, the sentence can be aggravated up to three years in prison, if the person started a fire in forests or moors. The maximum punishment, 16 years, occurs if a person dies as a result of that crime.
Rodrigo Rosero, Undersecretary General of the National Service for Risk and Emergency Management (SNGRE), said:
“Most of the fires are caused, however we are ready to fight any emergency; We have strengthened the capabilities and tools of the fire brigade and we will be able to make everything available to those who need it ”.
The ECU911 recommends taking care of the environment, not throwing garbage and rubbish in open places and not lighting fires.
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