28°C
Dominican Republic Strengthens Forest Fire Prevention During Peak Risk Season
The <strong>Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources</strong> has expanded interagency coordination, increased surveillance, and reinforced enforcement measures to reduce the growing risk of forest fires across the Dominican Republic during the country's annual fire prevention season.
Authorities in the Dominican Republic have stepped up efforts to prevent and combat forest fires following an increase in incidents reported in recent weeks. The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources announced enhanced surveillance, stronger coordination with government agencies, and additional preventive measures as part of the national Forest Fire Prevention Season, which began in February.
The reinforced strategy includes closer collaboration among military, environmental, and emergency response institutions to improve operational coordination, intelligence gathering, and rapid response capabilities in areas considered most vulnerable to wildfires.
Government Agencies Expand Joint Response
On Thursday, the ministry led two interagency coordination meetings aimed at strengthening the country’s wildfire response. The first, held at the Ministry of Defense, brought together representatives from the Ministry of Defense, the Dominican Republic Air Force, the Dominican Republic Army, the Dominican Republic Navy, the National Environmental Protection Service (SENPA), the General Directorate of Migration, and the Ministry of Environment.
A second meeting later that day included officials from the Ministry of Defense, SENPA, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC), the Dominican Agrarian Institute (IAD), the Agricultural Bank, RD Vial, private-sector representatives linked to forestry activities, and other institutions involved in environmental management and emergency response.
Focus on Prevention and Enforcement
During the meetings, participants agreed to strengthen surveillance in high-risk areas, increase preventive patrols, improve intelligence efforts to identify those responsible for causing forest fires, and reinforce the enforcement of administrative measures established under the General Environmental and Natural Resources Law No. 64-00.
Authorities also agreed that cases involving suspected environmental crimes will be referred to the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for the Defense of the Environment and Natural Resources, while maintaining a permanent national strategy for wildfire prevention and suppression.
Most Fires Linked to Human Activity
Environment Minister Paíno Henríquez said operational experience and field reports indicate that more than 90% of the forest fires handled by the ministry originate from human activity. He stressed that those responsible for deliberately or negligently causing wildfires will face the full consequences permitted under Dominican law.
Henríquez warned that forest fires not only destroy woodlands but also threaten water sources, biodiversity, the safety of wildfire brigades, and the well-being of communities throughout the country.
Recent Wildfires Under Control
The ministry reported that recent forest fires in Gajo Escondido, near the El Tetero Valley in Armando Bermúdez National Park; Sabana de San Juan in San José de Ocoa; Corocito and Arroyo Jánico Arriba in San José de las Matas; Limoncito in Valle Nuevo National Park; and El Portillo in Las Terrenas, Samaná Province, have all been brought under control.
Officials said the rapid response by provincial environmental personnel and the Las Terrenas Fire Department prevented the El Portillo blaze from spreading further. Meanwhile, forestry brigades continue monitoring and extinguishing remaining hot spots at the other affected locations to prevent reignition.
Temporary Restrictions on Agricultural Burning
The ministry also reminded the public that Resolution No. 0030-2026 took effect on July 30 and will remain in force through August 31. Under the temporary preventive measure, agricultural burning and the burning of vegetation or waste require prior authorization from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.
The restriction is intended to reduce wildfire risks during the period of greatest vulnerability while allowing authorized agricultural, forestry, and industrial activities that have received official approval. Authorities urged farmers, landowners, and the general public to comply with the resolution and immediately report any signs of smoke or potential forest fires to the appropriate authorities.
