The Department of Forestry will install 10 observation towers in areas where forest fires most frequently occur. These are primarily located in the central and southwestern mountain ranges — Cordillera Central and the Sierra de Bahoruco. The high risk areas covers the national parks Jos? del Carmen Ram?rez and Armando Berm?dez and the scientific reserve of Valle Nuevo. Observation towers will be built in Bajo de Pozo Prieto in Jarabacoa; Pico del Oro and Monte Grande in San Jos? de las Matas; Aguita Fr?a in Valle Nuevo, Constanza; Alto del Valle in Padre Las Casas; Tetero de Mej?a in San Jos? de Ocoa; Loma del Toro and Aserradero de la Viuda in Pedernales. Also in Cerro Jim?nez and Loma los Guandules of Restauraci?n. The US government, through the Agency of International Development, will also make available the use of helicopters with specialized personnel. Heliports will be built in San Jos? de las Matas, Jarabacoa, Constanza, Alto de la Rosa of San Juan de la Maguana, Restauraci?n and Sierra de Bahoruco. Trained observers are expected to be able to detect the fires before they get out of hand. The towers will cost about RD$7 million.
