Vice President Raquel Peña and Minister of Environment Paíno Henríquez led the launch of the 2025 Forest Fire Prevention Season Initiative in the mountain valley area of Constanza. The initiative aims to protect the country’s forests and natural resources through increased investment in firefighting equipment and heightened public awareness.
Vice President Peña emphasized the importance of collective action in safeguarding the Dominican Republic’s environment, calling on government agencies, the private sector, and citizens to participate in the effort. She also highlighted the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards environmental crimes and its commitment to incorporating environmental education into the national curriculum.
Minister Henríquez stressed the critical role of forests in maintaining ecological balance and supporting biodiversity. He praised the work of forest firefighters and announced a significant investment of nearly RD$300 million in new equipment and resources for their use. The investment will provide firefighters with 50 trucks, 58 motorcycles, two backhoes, uniforms, water pumps, blowers, and other essential tools. Additionally, the Ministry is working to increase firefighters’ salaries by 30% and will receive 40 all-terrain vehicles through donations to enhance patrolling in protected areas.
The initiative also includes plans to implement a resolution temporarily restricting agricultural and waste burning, with exceptions only granted through permits issued by the Ministry of Environment. The Ministry is strengthening its emergency response and early warning systems and urged citizens to report any suspicious activity or signs of fire in forest areas.
Vice Minister of Forest Resources José Elías González encouraged community members to seek guidance from ministry experts on fire management practices to prevent fires from spiraling out of control. The director of the National Fire Management Program, Gerónimo Abreu, called on citizens to avoid using fire in wooded areas and to cooperate in combating fires.
The launch event was also attended by Vice Minister of Climate Change and Sustainability, Ana Emilia Pimentel.
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Ministry of Environment
12 February 2025