Panama - An increase in wildfires in different regions of the country keeps the Meritorious Fire Corps on permanent alert, especially during the dry season, when this type of emergency intensifies due to high temperatures, dry ground, and irresponsible burns. "We are entering the period of highest risk, so we have reinforced strategic planning, personnel training, and operational deployment at the national level," the institution reported, emphasizing that prevention and timely response are fundamental to mitigating the impact of these events. According to operational records of the BCBRP, the province of Coclé leads the statistics, followed by Panama, West Panama, Veraguas, and Los Santos. "Every hectare lost represents direct damage to the environment and a threat to the quality of life for the population," fire authorities highlighted. In this scenario, firefighters are redoubling their operational efforts, often risking their lives to protect communities, safeguard biodiversity, and rescue wildlife affected by the fire. "Our mission is not limited to extinguishing fires; it involves defending human life, fauna, and our forests, even when it entails high risks," the institutional command emphasized. As part of preventive and preparedness actions, an inter-institutional wildfire drill will be held in Tanara de Chepo on January 25, with the aim of strengthening national response capabilities, improving inter-institutional coordination, and evaluating operational protocols. A wildfire in Los Santos that threatened to spread activated the alarms at Fire Station No. 1 La Villa. The firefighters, aboard trucks 313 and 416, went to Monagre beach, in the Santa Ana district, to put out the flames. Fortunately, the firefighters managed to control and extinguish the fire, preventing its spread to nearby areas, which allowed for the protection of the natural environment. The firefighters took the opportunity to reiterate to the general public that outdoor burns should be avoided. In addition, they requested to report any outbreak of fire to the emergency number 103. In the last ten years, Panama has lost approximately 230,000 hectares of vegetation due to wildfires, causing severe environmental impacts, effects on wildlife, ecosystem degradation, and direct risks to nearby communities.
