Massive forest fires rage in eastern Cuba

Forest fires raged in Cuba’s eastern region on Monday, nearing populated areas a week after sparking near a national park.

Cuba’s authorities said that more than 2000 hectares of forest burned down, including plantation and coffee crops, adding that firefighters, soldiers, and park employees have been battling the blaze.

The officials added the fire is now extending and moving from the national park of Mensura-Piloto to the province of Santiago de Cuba, one of the most populous cities in the country.

The local Communist Party leader Ernesto Santiesteban said on television that the fires are spreading in “a wide area, not just one focal point,”

According to Santiesteban officials have been trying to put the fires out since it sparked on the 18th of February but to no avail.

Officials said that the economic effect of the fires is already considerable and the recovery of the area could take years.