Guatemala fires at landfill and forests declared a disaster

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo has issued a natural disaster declaration as dozens of fires rage in forests and at a major landfill site in Villa Nueva.

More than 200 people received medical attention after being exposed to smoke from the burning landfill, according to Guatemala’s health minister. Around 44 forest fires were active across the country on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, President Arévalo said that 80% of the fires were started by people, citing information from the country’s disaster management agency. Authorities are investigating the source of the fires.

The president added that schools had been suspended across three municipalities near the landfill site.

The 30-day “state of calamity” means funding will be re-allocated to firefighting efforts.