The Ministry of Environment reports that three major forest fires still are blazing. A fourth was controlled early this week in the Cordillera Central due to the weekend effort of hundreds of volunteers from forestry schools, Civil Defense, and specialized brigades. The fires are primarily caused by the combination of the drought and strong winds that is normal this time of the year. The Ministry also urges that those on hikes up the mountains be sure to put out their bonfires, and take care with putting out flame-causing items such as cigarette butts. According to a report in El Siglo, forests cover 27% of the nation. There is an estimated 13,266.06 square kilometers of forests in the DR.
