Compared to last year, according to data from the Ministry of the Environment and Water, the accumulated heat sources until April 19 in 2019 were 2,761, while in the same period this year they already exceeded 3,368, the highest in the country so far. Other data indicates that "between January and April 24, 2020, there have been 15,354 sources of heat in Bolivia", exceeding the same period in 2019 by 35%, said the Friends of Nature Foundation (FAN), cited in an Infobae note.
Of these fire outbreaks, 442 were concentrated in 31 national and sub-national protected areas including Madidi National Park.
Concern has been raised by various groups, institutions and indigenous sectors of the risk of fires similar to what occurred in 2019 given the continuing existence of laws that guarantee "controlled" burns. The current government has not made efforts to repeal these laws. More information is available in Spanish here.