Valle Nuevo National Park closed due to forest fire

Firefighters and Ministry of Environment personnel have worked for 36 hours to control a forest fire in the Las Cuevas area of Valle Nuevo National Park in the Dominican Republic. Due to increasing fire intensity and strong winds, authorities have temporarily closed the park to the public and evacuated campers as a preventive measure.

Data from NASA’s FIRMS platform indicates the fire has potentially affected approximately 24.73 square kilometers (2,473 hectares). While investigations into the exact cause are ongoing, some reports suggest agricultural activities may have triggered the blaze, though others note that dry conditions and human intervention remain under scrutiny.

Environmentalists have highlighted the ecological importance of Valle Nuevo, noting its role in supplying water basins for the country. Experts have called for improved firefighting infrastructure, such as dedicated water-bomber aircraft at the local Constanza aerodrome, to better manage future outbreaks during the current high-fire season.