The Costa Rica News (TCRN) – With a few days left to finish by 2013, the Fire Department already knows it will be a record year in the number of incidents attended. The director, Héctor Chaves, said that across the country they have responded to 50,792 fires.
The chief said it will be the largest number of fires in the 148 year history of the institution. In 2012 it reached 40,000. Chaves said provisions were made, but 23 firemen were killed in duty, including a firefighter in a forest fire. Fatalities also exceed previous years.
According to statistics of the institution, 90% of forest fires are started by human intervention. Together with the Ministry of Environment, the institution working on the project called the Fire Act, they are seeking to define preventive and educational actions, but also penalties and funding to meet the demand for this type of disaster.
This will be a historical year for Costa Rican firefighters. Authorities are asking for people to be careful with the memory of a negative 2013 in mind.
The Costa Rica News (TCRN)
San Jose Costa Rica
