Bolivian “traditional slush and burn” practices inevitably lead to uncontrolled fires like the one you see above (El Deber, overflight of northern agricultural land in Santa Cruz.) Those questionable fires are a result of the belief that it is an inexpensive way to clear new and old land for agriculture.

At least 40 municipalities report fires, some uncontrolled. There are four municipalities with extensive fires: Ascensión de Guarayos (140), El Puente (158), San Julián (131) y Santa Rosa del Sara (246).

The reporters flew for an hour and a half and saw fires all over, the pilot said the visibility was only 1,000 meters ahead. This type of disaster occurs year after year. Agriculturalists do not understand how much they are damaging the environment and their own long-term economic activity.

A woman (70) died in 6 de Abril (Guarayos), as a result of fire getting to her home. Santa Cruz city is also clouded and today you can see the sun through a filter of smoke; north wind blows at 30/50 kilometers an hour. Conditions will remain until Tuesday when it is expected a mild cold front with a probability of rain which will serve to put out some of those fires… until then people must deal with dried mouths, sore throats and red eyes.

http://www.eldeber.com.bo/2011/2011-09-03/vernotaahora.php?id=110902234806