Belmopan. April 29, 2020. 2:35 p.m.
Residents of the towns of Benque Viejo del Carmen, San Ignacio and Santa Elena and surrounding areas are hereby informed of the use of two air tanker airplanes today, April 29th, over the periphery of those municipalities to assist in extinguishing the persistent fires that are spewing smoke into the communities.
Flights will commence around 3:30 p.m. and will continue throughout the daylight hours if wind conditions are favourable. The air tankers will fly from the Maya Flats airstrip. In addition, heavy machinery will be deployed to areas around Benque and in the Vaca Forest Reserve to help contain the blaze. The public is asked to be cautious in the areas described above.
An air tanker was used with success over Belmopan this morning, where the situation has improved. Close monitoring will be required to ensure that there is no reignition of fires. A team of wildland firefighters will be patrolling the areas in Belmopan in coordination with the Belmopan City Council. The public is urged to report any persons observed lighting fires in the areas of Maya Mopan, Salvapan, San Martin, Las Flores, and Cotton Tree, where much of the smoke that was affecting Belmopan originated.
The Ministry of Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, and Sustainable Development once again thanks the board of directors of the Protected Areas Conservation Trust for their generous show of corporate social responsibility.
Ends
For more information, please contact:
Tel: +501-822-0160
Email: ceo.sec@environment.gov.bz
