Mexican Fires: United States is Asked for Help
(Continued)
U.S. experts were in Oaxaca
state last week trying to determine the best way to end a rash of wildfires spewing a
dense haze across Mexico and into Texas. A seven-member U.S. team, along with
Mexican officials, are working on a strategy to fight the fires. This team
represents the U.S. Forest Service, the Texas Forest Service and the U.S. Agency for
International Development.
A government health advisory has been announced for Mexico City. Mexico City has suffered air problems even before the smoke became a problem. Residents were told to stay indoors and avoid smoking. School children are being kept inside classrooms. Mexico City has a visibility of less than two miles where normal visibility is 25 miles.
Environment Minister Julia Carabias held an emergency meeting with her counterparts for health, agriculture, forestry, and internal affairs to assess the damage. After the meeting, the governors of eight states ordered all slash-and-burn farming stopped at once.
Nearly 10,000 fires have burned more than 600,000 acres across Mexico. Baja California is the only state to be spared.
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