Pinar del Río, Cuba, April 25.-After a strong fight against the flames, members of the Cuban Forest Ranger Corps in this western province of Pinar del Río, today put out the very large fire in the mountainous areas of Viñales.
The support of specialized brigades belonging to the La Palma agroforestry company and other agricultural structures was also decisive, stressed Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Pereda, head of that body in the territory.
The incident began last Monday afternoon in the area known as Altos de Manaca. Favored by the winds, the fire is estimated to have covered more than 300 hectares of natural female pine forest.
This massif has almost 30 thousand hectares, it is one of the largest in the heritage that corresponds to the La Palma agroforestry company, explains its general director Osmel Portales.
Preliminary examinations speak of severe damage to the understory and the crowns of some adult pines. Currently, a commission of experts is investigating the causes of the fire, the 31st registered in the province of Pinar del Río so far this year. (Text and photo: PL)
