Peru has imposed a state of emergency in many areas of the country due to an outbreak of forest fires . Endangered and rare species , including the black bear and jaguars , are now at risk . Fires are often used in the country to clear land for cultivation , with farmers relying on rains to put them out . However , fires are rare as the country suffers from arguably the worst drought in over a decade . Peru’s prime minister, Fernando Zavala, travelled to the affected areas and said the state of emergency would allow the government to “continue mobilising people, resources and diverse equipment in order to confront these fires”. Ecologists warn that such fires are becoming increasingly frequent and intense , possibly due to climate change , and have called for the creation of a rapid response contingency plan .
Peru has imposed a state of emergency in many areas of the country due to an outbreak of forest fires . Endangered and rare species , including the black bear and jaguars , are now at risk . Fires are often used in the country to clear land for cultivation , with farmers relying on rains to put them out . However , fires are rare as the country suffers from arguably the worst drought in over a decade . Ecologists warn that such fires are becoming increasingly frequent and intense , possibly due to climate change , and have called for the creation of a rapid response contingency plan .