Firefighters in Paraguay are fighting multiple fires raging in several regions of the country and Parliament declared a national emergency on Thursday, October 1 so that the government can send them more resources.
Since July, it has not rained in most of the country and
"more than 7,000 fires have been recorded"
, fueled
"by temperatures of 43 degrees, strong winds and a lack of precipitation"
, declared the minister of National Emergency, Joaquin Roa.
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The spokesperson for the firefighters calls in particular for aerial control means.
“It is impossible to fight on earth.
We need help from heaven, ”
said Jorge Valdez.
Parliament's decision authorizes the government of President Mario Abdo Benitez to ask for international aid, to mobilize the armed forces and to provide aid to municipalities struck by the fires.
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In addition, the firefighters are also unable to control the fire that broke out in the huge landfill located at the gates of the capital Asuncion, where 2 million people live.
In the northern suburbs, residents were forced to evacuate.
“It's hell!
In this country, we are not going to die of the coronavirus but of asphyxiation because of the smoke ”
, declared on television an exasperated resident, Francisca Ortiz.
The health authorities have recommended that the population caulk their homes to protect themselves from unsanitary air.