The Regional Autonomous Corporation of La Guajira, informs the community in general that it is willing and able to provide the necessary advice to people who wish to carry out some type of burning on their property..

The Regional Autonomous Corporation of La Guajira, Corpoguajira, peasant and indigenous communities are allowed to be informed, public opinion and media, on the probability of forest fires in the region, during the dry season of the second semester of 2011.

About, this corporation, states that:

– The La Niña phenomenon, ended in the month of May 2011.

– There is little probability of the El Niño phenomenon occurring.

– The months of June, July, August and September 2011, will enter a period of normality and will be characterized by a decrease in precipitation and an increase in temperature.

– The most critical month will be August, in relation to low precipitation and increased temperature.

– Analyzing the country's historical data, regarding forest fires, at this time and with the normal hydroclimatic situation, there is presence of these events, mainly due to anthropogenic action.

– in drought, Solar heat causes dehydration in plants, which recover the water lost from the substrate. However, when soil moisture drops to a level below 30% plants are unable to obtain soil water, with which they dry little by little. This process causes the emission of ethylene into the atmosphere., a present highly combustible vegetation and chemical. It takes place then a double phenomenon: Both plants and the air around them become easily flammable, which multiplies the risk of fire. And if the existence of periods of high temperatures and strong or moderate winds is added to these conditions, the possibility of a simple spark starting a fire becomes significant.

In consecuense, in these months of decreased precipitation and increased temperature, the susceptibility to the occurrence of forest fires must be taken into account, which produce a high environmental impact, social and economic, negatively impacting the development process of the country.

Corpoguajira recommends taking into account the following aspects, which will help prevent a forest fire:

– If you are going to carry out any burning, This must be supervised at all times.

– Barriers or guardrails must always be established.

– If the wind is very strong, burning should not be carried out for any reason.

– Burning should not be carried out on steep slopes., not even close to the natural forest.

In the event of a forest fire:

– Immediately contact one of the following entities: Corpoguajira, HEAD, National Police, Firefighters, Red Cross or Civil Defense.

– Note the direction of the fire and provide an escape.

– Try going to the most deprived areas of vegetation.

– Breathe with a damp handkerchief covering his mouth and nose.

– Try to stay with firewalls or natural barriers (I laugh, roads).

– Remain calm and obey the instructions of forest officials or civil protection.

The Regional Autonomous Corporation of La Guajira, informs the community in general that it is willing and able to provide the necessary advice to people who wish to carry out some type of burning on their property..