DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

Firefighters and protected area personnel working with rangers of the Ministry of Environment were able to control a forest fire in the Las Cuevas area of Valle Nuevo National Park after 36 hours of continuous effort. While the blaze remains active, authorities have established security perimeters, temporarily closed the park to the public, and initiated the evacuation of campers. The official cause and total area damaged remain undetermined as investigations continue.

In an interview with Listín Diario, biologist and environmentalist Yohan Núñez emphasized the critical ecological role of Valle Nuevo, often referred to as the “mother of waters.” The high-altitude ecosystem features native mosses and pine vegetation that act as natural sponges, capturing rainfall and runoff to supply key water basins across the Dominican Republic.

Núñez noted that...