"Wildfire extinguishing in Peru highlights community collaboration."

Between September 7 and 8, a significant joint effort successfully extinguished six forest fires in various regions of Peru, specifically in Áncash, Apurímac, Arequipa, and Ayacucho. This effort was led by the National Emergency Operations Center (COEN), which is part of the National Institute of Civil Defense (Indeci). Local authorities, along with firefighters and community members, quickly mobilized to control the flames and prevent them from spreading to populated areas. In the Áncash region, the fires in the towns of Huaraz and Chingalpo were extinguished thanks to the active collaboration of district governments and neighborhood brigades. This demonstrates the importance of community organization and the determination of residents when facing emergencies of this nature. The immediate response was key to minimizing the impact of these incidents on the local ecosystem. The situation was similar in Apurímac, where in the district of San Pedro de Cachora, members of the National Police, along with municipal personnel and local residents, managed to extinguish the fire. In Tamburco, the General Corps of Volunteer Firefighters of Peru, the district government, and specialists from the National Service of Protected Natural Areas (Sernanp) joined forces in the fight against the flames, highlighting the importance of inter-institutional collaboration in crisis management. In Arequipa and Ayacucho, the forest fires in Chilcaymarca and San Miguel, respectively, were also controlled by the swift intervention of firefighters and locals. These events highlight a common pattern in disaster response in the country: collaboration among different actors, from local authorities to the community, is essential to mitigate the impact of such emergencies. Despite the successful extinguishing of the fires, COEN reported that approximately 102 hectares of natural cover were destroyed. Although no damage to the lives and health of the population was recorded, this loss of natural habitat raises concerns about biodiversity and sustainability in the affected regions. Authorities continue to carry out Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (EDAN) to evaluate long-term effects. Additionally, in various localities such as San Juan de Chacña, Ocobamba, Contumazá, Ayabaca, and Tapuc, five other forest fires were controlled during the same period. The participation of the Peruvian Air Force, along with the National Police, local municipalities, and organized communities, helped manage situations that could have become much more severe. It is important to note that while no health damages were reported, these events underscore the need to continue awareness campaigns on forest fire prevention. Education in the community about the causes of these disasters and how to prevent them is crucial to avoid their recurrence in the future. Indeci and COEN will continue to monitor the situation in the affected regions and work in coordination with Regional, Provincial, and District Emergency Operations Centers. Attention to the affected and displaced population is a priority in emergency response, and the capacity to respond will be strengthened through cooperation among the various entities involved. In summary, the extinguishing of these fires is a testament to the collective effort of communities and authorities in the fight against natural disasters. However, it is vital to implement prevention strategies to address the underlying causes of these events and protect the environment and the health of the population in Peru.