Tarija, Bolivia declares emergency as forest fires scorch thousands of hectares

The municipality of San Lorenzo in Bolivia’s Tarija department declared a state of emergency on 19 July 2026 after multiple forest fires spread across thousands of hectares, threatening the communities of Camarón and Ancahuasi. Governor María René Soruco appealed for national solidarity, while the Army, local fire brigades and volunteers were deployed to combat the blazes.

The Ministry of Health sent medical brigades to the hardest‑hit towns (Quirusillas, Erquis Norte, Ceibal) to treat smoke‑related irritation, respiratory problems and other injuries. Public Works Minister Mauricio Zamora ordered the Bolivian Space Agency to provide continuous satellite monitoring of fire fronts, using a 24‑hour platform that maps hotspots, access routes and at‑risk infrastructure. These coordinated actions aim to contain the fires and protect residents.