San Germán municipal gov’t mobilized against wildfires

San Germán Mayor Virgilio Olivera Olivera

By THE STAR STAFF

San Germán Mayor Virgilio Olivera Olivera announced Sunday that “wildfires are relentless” in various areas of the municipality.

While it is true that high temperatures are commonplace in the area, the possibility of arson contributing to the problem cannot be ruled out, the mayor said, noting that parts of the Guamá and El Retiro neighborhoods are at least two of the areas experiencing wildfires.

“We thank the various brigades of the Puerto Rico Firefighters Bureau, the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER), and our Municipal Emergency Management (OMME) team for their outstanding work in each of the affected areas,” Olivera said in a written statement.

“These fires have greatly affected the urban area of San Germán due to the smoke, as they have been burning for days …” the mayor added. “Meanwhile, the mountainous area, which is difficult to access, has been exacerbated by the drought. … Our specialized teams remain deployed, fighting the various fires.”

San Germán is currently under a “Red Flag” alert, issued by the forest firefighters, due to the high risk of wildfires. Citizens are urged to use the following municipal contact numbers to report wildfires or any associated activity: Emergency Management Office: 787-892-5620; Municipal Police: 787-892-3505.

“We urge citizens and visitors to take the following preventative measures: Do not burn trash, leaves, or land; do not throw away cigarette butts or lit matches; avoid using open fires in areas with vegetation; and immediately report any sign of fire to the appropriate authorities,” Olivera said.

“People with respiratory conditions, older adults, and other vulnerable groups should take extra precautions, especially if there is smoke in the air …,” he added. “If possible, they should stay indoors, keep doors and windows closed, and follow their healthcare professional’s recommendations if they experience difficulty breathing.”