After nine grueling days, combined forces from the Pinar del Río Forestry Corps (CGB) and the agricultural system successfully contained a massive forest fire that broke out in the Arenales area of Minas de Matahambre municipality. The operation involved hundreds of personnel and showcased Cuba’s resilience in combating natural disasters.
The fire was brought under control after intensive counter-fire operations conducted late Friday night and throughout Saturday afternoon. These efforts, along with the use of mechanized equipment, managed to surround the flames on both the northern and southern fronts, specifically in Minas de Matahambre and San Juan y Martínez, explained Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Pereda Burón, head of Vueltabajo’s CGB, to the Cuban News Agency. Currently, teams are monitoring ash zones to prevent flare-ups and extinguishing remaining flames within the perimeter.
The firefighting operation mobilized around 500 people, reflecting the magnitude of the blaze and the challenges posed by strong winds, severe drought, difficult terrain, and abundant flammable material. Over 3,240 hectares of pine forests were affected, marking this as one of the largest fires in the second most reforested province in Cuba. Despite the risks, frontline workers remained steadfast. William Caro González, a young forest ranger from Guane, described the ordeal as exhausting and perilous but emphasized that preserving Pinar del Río’s flora and fauna made the sacrifice worthwhile.
Veteran forestry worker O Vidal Carmona, with 45 years of experience, highlighted the team’s expertise in navigating rugged landscapes, extreme heat, and harsh conditions. “We are trained to handle any situation,” he stated, having been at the forefront of battling the flames since day one. The reduced number of personnel now focuses on maintaining vigilance and ensuring complete extinction of the fire.
