Hundreds of hectares damaged in Cuba wildfire

Airplanes and firefighters continued Friday to try to contain a forest fire of great proportions in a wooded area in eastern Cuba. The fire started a week ago and at least 1,300 hectares have been consumed by flames. The outbreaks of the fire affected the surroundings of the settlements of Vivero Dos, Pueblo Nuevo and La Mensura, in the municipality of Mayarí, some 800 kilometers east of Havana.

So far, no human casualties have been reported. In addition to the Armed Forces, local firefighters, park rangers and civilian brigades from the neighboring province of Santiago de Cuba arrived to support the efforts. In January, more than 80 wildfires were reported nationwide. It takes place with the beginning of the dry season that runs through May.