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Specialists warn about the danger of fires due to the increase in winds |
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 By the A.M. Costa Rica
staff
Specialists of the National Fire Management Program of the National System of Conservation Areas have warned residents not to make any kind of campfires because of the high risk of fires during this time of the year. According to the fire agency called to the public to not to carry out any type of agricultural burning or any other action that involves the use of fire. The request is based on scientific and technical information issued by the National Meteorological Institute, which cited the presence of cold thrust No. 14, which is affecting the country. This causes very strong winds with gusts between 50 and 90 kilometers per hour, mainly in the Central Valley and North Pacific. According to Grettel Vega, director of the agency, "with the current conditions of strong winds, any fire will go out of control and could cause forest fires. Also the high temperatures, low relative humidity and current vegetation conditions will cause a simple burning to turn into a forest fire with serious consequences for the environment and the population.” According to the agency, since Jan, 15, vegetation conditions which can be very critical, due to the presence of the El Niño weather phenomenon in the far Pacific, which results in more drought in pastures and woodlands. Through the first three weeks of the year, the agency has handled seven forest fires of which three have been within a protected wildlife area, accounting for a total of 17 affected hectares. The remaining three have been in private properties. According to the latest report from firefighters, the San Jose station responded to three emergency calls on private properties on Monday. One of those fires was in a pasture of more than 2,000 square meters. According to the Meteorological Institute, strong winds will continue over Central America and the Caribbean Sea. Winds with speeds between 90 and 115 kilometer per hour are forecast in Guanacaste* area and between 40 and 75 kilometers per hour in the Central Valley*. |
 Costa Rica Firefighters courtesy photo One of those fires was in a pasture of more than 2,000 square meters. According to climate specialists, strong gusts will prevail in various points of the Guanacaste and Tilarán* mountain ranges, with speeds that will be exceeding 90 kilometers per hour on an occasional basis, while in the central volcanic mountains the maximums will be between 50 and 90 kilometers per hour. Rains will continue to be very dispersed in the Caribbean and Northern Zone with amounts between 5 to 30 millimeters. Temperatures are expected to remain relatively low, especially in the areas near the mountain, in the Caribbean and in the northern zone, the weather institute said. San José* temperatures will not exceed 19 to 20 degrees C. They will be lower in Cartago* and the higher elevations of Heredia* and Alajuela*. ---- How badly do these winds endanger travel by sea or local flights? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to: news@amcostarica.com *Click on the blue letters to reach the place in google maps. |
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