The Costa Rica News (TCRN) – The National Commission on Wildfire (CONIFOR) is getting an early start on the wildfire season due to the influence of El Niño, especially in the province of Guanacaste.
CONIFOR coordinator, Luis Diego Román, said that because there is a lot of dry vegetation in Guanacaste and the rains have ceased, they have declared December 15 as the start of the wildfire season.
Roman also said they have a contingency plan for the 2015 season which includes a $150,000 budget to fight the fires.
The CONIFOR and officials from the Rural Development Institute (INDER) at regional offices have highlighted the need to intervene in rural settlements where fire is used in unsafe ways, which could increase the chances of a fire.
According to Roman, these rural areas are engaged in agriculture and the owners tend to use fire without proper precautions and permits, threatening local ecosystems. (Crhoy)
The Costa Rica News (TCRN)
San Jose, Costa Rica