Authorities declare a disaster in San Lorenzo as wildfires continue to spread and a specialized aircraft is deployed.
Bolivia’s municipality of San Lorenzo, in the department of Tarija, declared a state of disaster on Sunday as fast-moving wildfires continued to consume thousands of hectares, damaging vegetation, wildlife and productive land while threatening nearby communities.
RELATED: Ontario Premier Condemns Trump’s Wildfire Criticism
Threatened Communities and Firefighting Efforts
The declaration enables the municipal government to reallocate public funds and request extraordinary financial assistance from the central government after local response capacities were exceeded.
Defense Minister Ernesto Justiniano announced that a specialized firefighting aircraft will arrive in the coming hours to reinforce aerial operations against the blaze. He also said authorities have launched an investigation to identify those responsible for starting the fires.
#GrupoFides | #ANF #CuidadoDeLaCasaComún La Alcaldía de #SanLorenzo, en #Tarija, declaró desastre municipal debido a la magnitud de los incendios que se registraron en esa región. Piden a las autoridades de los tres niveles de gobierno asumir acciones de mitigación del fuego. pic.twitter.com/cJAlDTmT3y
— Agencia de Noticias Fides (@noticiasfides) July 19, 2026
Text Reads: #GrupoFides | #ANF #CuidadoDeLaCasaComún The Mayor’s Office of #SanLorenzo, in #Tarija, declared a municipal disaster due to the magnitude of the fires that occurred in that region. They are asking the authorities at all three levels of government to take fire mitigation actions.
The wildfires have been advancing since Thursday. Civilian firefighters were the first to respond, but strong winds and adverse weather conditions prevented them from bringing the blaze under control.
Over the weekend, units of the Bolivian Army, personnel from the departmental government and community volunteer groups joined firefighting operations. Despite the additional resources, the fires remain active.
Henry Rivera, president of the Volunteer Firefighters Association, said the wildfire “is not under control” and that the immediate priority is protecting populated areas.
Quirusillas, including its surrounding cantons, Ancahuasi and the Campanario junction are among the communities most affected. Rivera said “The wind, the rugged terrain and the dense vegetation act as natural fuels, accelerating the spread of the fire and making firefighting efforts more difficult.”
Fire crews continue working throughout the day but must suspend operations at dusk because weather conditions make firefighting too dangerous.
Según Zamora, desde muy temprano de este lunes realizarán vuelos de reconocimiento por las zonas afectadas por los incendios forestales y luego en coordinación con los bomberos ayudarán a sofocar los focos de calor desde el aire.https://t.co/EU6U97pu5l
— EL DEBER (@grupoeldeber) July 20, 2026
Text Reads: According to Zamora, starting very early this Monday, they will conduct reconnaissance flights over the areas affected by the forest fires and then, in coordination with the firefighters, will help extinguish the hotspots from the air.
Calls for Additional Support
Tarija Governor María René Soruco called for immediate assistance for firefighting teams and requested urgent deliveries of protective equipment for brigades operating in the affected areas.
Social organizations and defenders of the rights of Mother Earth have called for a thorough investigation to determine responsibility for the fires and halt practices they say undermine the country’s food sovereignty.
The Bolivian government continues its emergency response while awaiting the arrival of the specialized aircraft as wildfires remain active across San Lorenzo.
From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.