Chiapas: 400 hectares of tropical reserve burned by fire in La Encrucijada

In three days, a fire has devastated 400 hectares of tule plantations in one of the world's largest rainforest reserves. Chiapas, an exuberant state of southeastern Mexico, said Sunday official sources.

The loss is recorded in the biosphere of The crossroad and the fire focuses on the Adolfo López Mateos Community, in the municipality of Mazatánsaid the National Commission for Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) and the Secretariat for Civil Protection.

Military troops were deployed in the area to fight the fire, with planes equipped with irrigation systems 2500 liters of water.

Up to now, more than 30 water discharges have been applied, officials said.

In the zone, Civil protection operates another aircraft for the mobilization of personnel and badessment of the affected area.

The reservation of The crossroad is located south of Chiapas, in the Pacific coastal plain, and includes some of the municipalities of Pijijiapan, Mapastepec, Acapetahua, Huixtla, Villa Comaltitlán and Mazatán.

This is the habitat of 73 species of mammals, more than 300 species of birds between residents and migrants, 13 species of amphibians, 20 invertebrates and 42 species of reptiles. In addition, it is home to a great diversity of forests.

Mexico recognizes the importance of the ecological reserves of Chiapas and the south-east of the Republic, which contribute to the maintenance of global balances. Reserves protect tropical forests and hydrological systems.

Although it is one of the states with natural advantages, extreme drought and pollution overwhelm several municipalities. The dry season that began in mid-February complicated the situation.

Ocosingo, Benemérito de las Américas and Marqués de Comillas are the regions most affected by drought and high temperatures.