Governor Alberto Jiménez of the Pedernales province praised as heroes the more than 150 men whose relentless efforts for the past six days in spite of extremely difficult conditions has finally put out a very frightening fire in the Baoruco Range National Park in the southwest of the country.

Jeronimo Abreu, National Director Against Forest Fires, after surveying the area by helicipter, confirmed that despite intense winds still affecting the area the fire is expected to be doused today. The blaze has charred thousands of acres of pine and other trees in the area. Forestry brigades are standing by in El Aceitillar, another fire prone zone, to prevent any potential blazes that may be caused by winds, arson or other causes.