Forest and rural fires, linked to human activity and drought, have affected four of Bolivia’s nine regions, Juan Carlos Calvimontes, Undersecretary of Civil Defense, announced today.

A total of 21 fires were recorded in four of the country’s nine regions, according to the deputy minister, who clarified that most of them have been extinguished.

“We are entering the most critical period of forest fires, so we ask you to be extremely careful,” said Jovenca Rosado, who is director of the natural resources department of Santa Cruz, the country’s most populous region, which is also the driving force strength of its economy.

In it, which is located in the eastern part of the country, on the border with Brazil and Paraguay, about 300,000 hectares were burned, according to her.

The practice of burning for agricultural purposes, known in Bolivia as “chaqueo,” is legal when the rainy season ends in May and June. But those who do not meet the deadlines or are not limited to the 200 hectares they are allowed are not at great risk, and the fires are quickly getting out of control as the country faces a drought caused by climate change.