Ongoing wildfires in northern Mexico destroy over 400,000 acres

[News_Editor]

Ongoing wildfires in northern Mexico destroy over 400,000 acres

2011-04-20 07:17:37 GMT+7 (ICT)

ACUÑA, COAHUILA (BNO NEWS) -- Ongoing wildfires in northern Mexico have destroyed at least 180,000 hectares (444,800 acres), one month after the fires initially broke out, officials said Tuesday.

Mexico's National Forest Commission released its latest report, adding that the fires could continue to spread and destroy further areas, as it predicts that firefighting teams would need at least 2 more weeks to control the flames.

Four fires in Mexico's northern state of Coahuila broke out in mid march following a strong thunderstorm, and while two of them were successfully put out, two remain active in Bonito Ranch, which is located in the municipality of Acuña, and Sabina Ranch, located in Muzquiz.

The fires are located some 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of the Texas border.

Environment and Natural Resource Department delegate Marcelo Maynez Aleman said in Bonito Ranch alone, 136,000 hectares (336,000 acres) have been affected.

According to reports, 97 percent of the overall damage has been desert shrubs, but as the fires surround the cities of Acuña, Arteaga, Muzquiz, and Ocampo, authorities fear the flames could further affect the cities.

The municipality of Acuña has been facing strong winds reaching 80 kilometers (37.2 miles) per hour, creating further firefighting challenges. Furthermore, a strong heat wave reaching 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in the past weeks have worsened the wildfires.

Two U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft equipped with Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems were deployed this weekend from Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado to fight the fires, as they continue to drop water and non-toxic retardant substances.

In addition, Mexican authorities currently have around 1,500 personnel fighting the fires with the use of 12 helicopters.

Mexico's Civil Protection said the government of Brazil has offered help in fighting the fires.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-04-20