Sierra de Bahoruco fires trigger environmental emergency in Dominican Republic

forest fires Sierra de Bahoruco environmental emergency protected areas Dominican Republic

The Observatory of Protected Areas has declared an environmental emergency in the Dominican Republic due to a series of forest fires affecting over 150 square kilometers of land this season. Significant damage has been reported in protected ecosystems, including Valle Nuevo, Jaragua National Park, and La Humeadora.

A major active fire is currently burning in the Sierra de Bahoruco National Park, specifically near Hoyo de Pelempito and the Aceitillar area. This blaze has been active for several days, destroying dense pine forests and threatening endemic wildlife. More than 250 forest firefighters, along with military and civil defense personnel, are engaged in containment efforts using ground crews and aerial support.

The Observatory notes that most fires appear to have human origins, stemming from either negligence or deliberate actions. They have called for rigorous investigations to determine if these fires are linked to illegal activities such as hunting, cattle ranching, or human trafficking. While lightning is being considered as a possible cause for some incidents, official confirmation is still pending.

Entities

Altagracia Brea · Jerónimo Abreu · Ministry of Environment · Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources · Observatorio de Áreas Protegidas · Observatory of Protected Areas · Pedernales · Quito · Sierra de Bahoruco · Sierra de Bahoruco National Park

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 7 SOURCES] More than 150 square kilometers of forest have been affected or reached by fires during the current season. dominicanscope.com · elnaguero.com · vigilanteinformativo.com · almomento.net · eldia.com.do · +1 more
[● 6 SOURCES] Most fires appear to have human origins, including deliberate actions and negligence. dominicanscope.com · vigilanteinformativo.com · almomento.net · eldia.com.do · elnuevodiario.com.do
[● 2 SOURCES] The fire may have been caused by a lightning strike or electrical discharge, though this is not yet officially confirmed. dajabonenlinea.net · ocoainformativa.net
[● 7 SOURCES] Fires have also affected Valle Nuevo, Jaragua National Park, and La Humeadora. dominicanscope.com · elnaguero.com · vigilanteinformativo.com · almomento.net · eldia.com.do · +1 more
[● 5 SOURCES] The organization has called for investigations into potential links between fires and illegal activities such as hunting or human trafficking. vigilanteinformativo.com · almomento.net · elnuevodiario.com.do · dominicanscope.com
[● 14 SOURCES] A major fire is currently burning in the Sierra de Bahoruco National Park near Hoyo de Pelempito. dajabonenlinea.net · dominicanscope.com · elnaguero.com · noticias31.com.do · www.realidadesdepedernales.net · +9 more
[● 7 SOURCES] The Observatory of Protected Areas has declared an environmental emergency due to the frequency and recurrence of forest fires. dominicanscope.com · elnaguero.com · vigilanteinformativo.com · almomento.net · eldia.com.do · +1 more
[● 2 SOURCES] More than 250 forest firefighters are participating in the operations to control the fire. dajabonenlinea.net · ocoainformativa.net