Helicopters called for to fight protected forest fire

The possibility of sending helicopters to try to contain  the forest fire that started in the mountainous region of Cerro Punta , in the province of Chiriquí, from spreading to other protected areas, is among the alternatives that the Panama Fire Department in coordination with the National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc), reports TVN.

The fire in a protected area was reported on social networks.

Nadia Samudio, commander of the Panama Fire Department, said t that they are working on trails to reach the hill and try to prevent the fire from advancing toward the limits of La Amistad International Park.

Javier Pitti, mayor of Tierras Altas, said that the hill is an emblematic place in the district and they are already after the people who allegedly climbed to the site.

“We are waiting for the helicopter, the fire has already taken several hectares,” Pitti said. These are three critical points that remain lit on the hill.

He asked the Minister of My Environment, Milciades Concepción, to promptly arrange with the National Aeronaval Service, the arrival of helicopters in support of the work to extinguish the fire.