Bolivia Fires Destroy 350,000 Acres
8/23/99
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Title: Bolivia Fires Destroy 350,000 Acres
Source: Associated Press
Status: Copyright 1999, contact source for permission to reprint
Date: August 23, 1999
Byline: Pete Mcfarren
SANTA CRUZ, Bolivia (AP) -- Wind-fueled fires have destroyed 350,000
acres of farm land and at least 500 homes in central Bolivia, leaving
thousands homeless and blanketing the country's lowlands with smoke,
the government reported Monday.
Farmlands and forests have burned out of control for over a week in
the tropical lowland area north of Santa Cruz. A severe drought in
Brazil and the eastern lowlands of Bolivia is fueling the fires.
The forest fires have covered more than half of Bolivia with heavy
smoke, forcing schools to close and flights to be canceled Monday. The
haze has even begun crossing the Andes from the east.
Thick smoke has enveloped Santa Cruz de la Sierra, a city of one
million, forcing air traffic officials to restrict the number of
flights in and out of the city.
Fires have destroyed much of Ascencion de Guarayos, a farm town of
10,000 people 530 miles east of La Paz, town officials said. The
town's hospital was destroyed and thousands of residents were left
homeless.
Emergency food and medical supplies are being collected for victims of
the fire, considered the most damaging in Bolivia's recent history.
The government also says the fires pose a serious threat to the
environment and the health of residents.
Legislators have asked the government to mobilize the armed forces to
limit the centuries-old practice of slash-and-burn agriculture, and to
educate farmers on the problems caused by the smoke.