Peru battles deadly forest fires

LIMA — Wildfires in Peru have killed at least 15 people and burned more than 3,000 hectares (7,400 acres) of farmland and natural areas since July, authorities said Monday.

Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzén told reporters that the fires were caused by human activity and that there were active fires in 22 of the country's 24 regions. He added that clouds, smoke and wind were hampering the use of aircraft available to fight the fires.

A Civil Defense report obtained by The Associated Press said at least 15 people have died and another 98 have been injured in the fires since July. Ten of the fatalities have occurred in the past two weeks, and more than 1,800 people have been affected. In the livestock sector, 334 animals have reportedly been lost.

The Peruvian National Forest and Wildlife Service SERFOR pointed out that the effects of climate change are exacerbating conditions that favor the spread of fires.

“Extremely strong winds and prolonged periods of drought dry out the vegetation and turn it into highly flammable fuel,” says Romina Liza, a specialist in monitoring and fighting forest fires at SERFOR. “This allows the fire to spread quickly.”

Some of the most complicated fires are in the Amazon region on the border with Ecuador, civil protection director Juan Urcariegui told a local television station.