Nuevo León: banned the use of all-terrain vehicles in areas closed to the use of fire

This measure applies to three- or four-wheeled vehicles used for sports or tourism activities. This is due to the forest fires that are still active in Nuevo León

The government of Nuevo León reported that, in the face of the fires that are still active in the entity, the use of three-wheeled or four-wheeled all-terrain vehicles will be prohibited in the areas of ban on the use of fire, in order to prevent possible forest fires in the future.

On February 9, it was published in the Official State Gazette that the closed areas for the use of fire would cover areas covered with vegetation, trees, grasslands, weeds and shrublands in general, so open fire fires were prohibited, either for celebrations or food preparation.

Similarly, it was established that no burning could be carried out for the preparation of fodder for livestock, garbage or polluting waste. This agreement entered into force last February and until August 31, 2022, as provided for by article 3 of the Sustainable Forestry Development Act of the state of Nuevo León, sections I, III, IV and V.

Thus, persons who cause a fire in a forest, jungle or natural vegetation may be liable to a penalty of 2 to 10 years in prison and the equivalent of 300 to 3,000 days of fine, according to the provisions of the Nuevo León Penal Code.

The fire in the Sierra de Santiago has affected 1,200 hectares (Photo: Twitter @PC_NuevoLeon)

The document also stipulates that the number of visitors will be reduced to the following destinations of the entity: “Las Adjuntas”, Matacanes and Hydrophobia, all located in the municipality of Santiago.

Since March 24, there has been a forest fire in the Sierra de Santiago that is still active until this Tuesday, March 29. At the close of Monday 28, only 40% had been controlled, with the support of 327 brigades and 6 air teams.

According to the National Forestry Commission (Conafor), 25% of liquidation was recorded on the fifth day of work. So far, the fire has consumed 1,200 hectares. The governor of the entity, Samuel García, took a tour of the area in the company of the mayor of Santiago, David de la Peña, and the director of state Civil Protection, Erik Cavazos.

Conafor reported that as of 28 March there are 35 forest fires in 14 states (Photo: Twitter @CONAFOR)

After their visit, they reported that the communities of Potrero Redondo and Camotera are out of danger. It should be recalled that in recent days 57 families had to be evicted preventively from the first community.

However, this was not the only fire that has occurred in the municipality of Santiago, Nuevo León, in the month of March. On the 20th of this month, a forest fire was 100% controlled in the area known as Las Adjuntas, after 6 days of work. On that occasion, 215 hectares were consumed and the accident was caused by the burning of garbage that was not controlled at the time, the state governor reported.

Finally, it should be noted that, according to data from Conafor, from January to December 2020, 44 forest fires were recorded in Nuevo León, affecting 1,453 hectares. On the other hand, according to data from the same Commission, as of March 28, 35 active fires were registered in 14 states, which have consumed 3,591 hectares.

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