With the goal of strengthening the province’s forest fire prevention and control capacity, the Minister of Economic and Productive Development, Carlos Banacloy, has announced that a meeting was held with representatives from the United States Embassy and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Banacloy stated: “Governor Weretilneck instructed us to advance training and equipment agreements, in addition to understanding where we should direct our efforts to strengthen the fight against fires.”
In this regard, the Río Negro government will submit a series of requests to the U.S. Embassy to promote the creation of cooperation agreements, implement training for firefighters and secure funding to strengthen the province’s firefighting infrastructure.
During the meeting, the minister highlighted the growing complexity of forest fires in the region. He further explained: “Our fire prevention and control system, the SPLIF, has been in place for more than 30 years, but fires have increased in intensity and speed. We need to adapt to this new reality and have as many tools as possible.”
Another point discussed was the need to improve coordination with Chile and neighboring countries in managing cross-border fires.
Banacloy noted: “Today we have fires affecting two jurisdictions, and we don’t have agreements that allow for effective joint action.”.
In response, USFS representatives indicated that there is an agreement between the U.S., Canada and Mexico to share resources in firefighting, based on standardized training so that firefighters can quickly integrate and operate in different territories.
The meeting was attended by Sean Greenley, Counselor for Energy, Environment, Science, Technology, and Health at the Embassy; Ángeles Coscolla, member of the Environment, Science, and Technology section; Marysol Jaime Arteaga; and Isidoro Solis, from the International Programs Department of the USFS.
The Río Negro government is currently working on a formal request to advance cooperation with the United States, which will allow access to international experience, equipment, and new fire prevention and combat strategies.
Minister of Economic and Productive Development, Carlos Banacloy, held a meeting with representatives from the United States Embassy and the U.S. Forest Service.
