Officials say forest fire at Central Mountains being controlled

Santo Domingo.- The Environment Ministry on Tuesday said a forest fire affecting an area of the Central Mountains is expected to be completely controlled by Thursday, since more than 100 firefighters are now battling the blaze.

It said the fire at Valle Nuevo, near the town Constanza, is also being fought with the help of two aircraft of the Dominican Naval Auxiliaries, with over flights of the area.

In a statement, Environment said local volunteers joined its crews to fight the fire. “The crews will continue to work intensely and will not leave the site until the fire is completely doused.”

Forestry deputy minister Manuel Serrano and Fire Prevention director Geronimo Abreu affirmed that large trees were not affected "What was left of the fire was coming under control at noon Tuesday, so the extinction stage has already passed. Fortunately the tallest trees were not damaged as usual."