Cuba Wildfires Threatening Popular Tourist Destination of Viñales

Forest fires have been raging across Cuba, threatening the area regarded as the Caribbean country's top tourist destination, the town of Viñales on the western part of the island. The fire was still burning as of early Wednesday, according to state-run media.

Viñales Valley, where the town of Viñales is located, is a remote area surrounded by mountains and lush pine forests. However, that pine forest is now ablaze and is threatening what is considered the Caribbean country's most popular tourist destination.

The Independent reported that the blaze started around Monday afternoon. Like most forest fires, it started out small but soon grew larger and larger, threatening the popular tourist town. Strong winds are said to be the cause of why the flames grew so much in this remote forested region of Cuba.

State media reports indicated that approximately 350 hectares, or about 1.5 square miles, of the valley's area was consumed by the forest fire. Its 13,210-hectare area is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the fire may have affected tourism there.

So far, Cuban authorities stated that around 90% of the blaze has already been controlled. However, it should be noted that "controlled" does not mean that the blaze has been put out. It just means that firefighters are handling the fire and it might finally get put out soon.

El Niño May Have Caused Cuba Forest Fire Near Viñales

While the blaze is already under firefighters' control, Cuban authorities are now trying to find out what may have caused the dangerous forest fire that threatened to affect one of the Caribbean country's top tourist spots.

State-run media noted that they believe the forest fire was caused by a prolonged dry season and the lingering effects of the weather pattern known as El Niño. This weather pattern is known to cause weird weather problems in the Americas, including wildfires, tropical cyclones, and prolonged droughts, according to Reuters.

Cuban officials noted that El Niño particularly left the Viñales Valley area vulnerable to forest fires. Much of Cuba's tourism is centered there, with the area being known for horseback rides along forested paths, beautiful mountain views, and tobacco plantation tours. There are also caverns all over the area that tourists can visit.

Cuba Issues Apology to Canada After Wrong Dead Body Was Sent

Meanwhile, as firefighters are still dealing with the forest fire, the Cuban government issued an apology to a grieving family in Canada after sending the wrong body. It was supposed to be of a loved one who died while on a vacation in the Caribbean country.

Faraj Jarjour, a Canadian citizen of Syrian descent, passed away in Cuba while on vacation last March 22. However, according to Yahoo! News, Cuba sent his family the body of a much younger man who did not look anywhere near him. The identity of the wrong body has not been revealed.

Bruno Rodriguez, the foreign minister of Cuba, took to X to apologize to the family and promised to send the correct body this time. He also said that he spoke with his Canadian counterpart Melanie Joly about the "unfortunate incident."

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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