Bolivia, Sep 08 (V7N) — Bolivia has declared a national emergency due to catastrophic forest fires, with no casualties or damage reported so far. The announcement, made by Defence Minister Edmundo Novillo during a press conference on Sunday, comes as the country seeks international aid to combat the blazes, Reuters reports.

The declaration enables Bolivia to expedite global support in addressing the fires, which have already ravaged significant portions of land. According to the report, Bolivia is experiencing its highest number of wildfires since 2010, with at least 3 million hectares (7.5 million acres) scorched this year, as confirmed by Brazil’s space research agency.

Bolivian President Luis Arce stated that a team of Brazilian wildfire experts had arrived in San Ignacio de Velasco to assist in firefighting efforts. Latin American countries, including Bolivia, have been struggling with unprecedented wildfires, fuelled by an unusually dry season that began early in July and is expected to extend through September.

Neighbouring Brazil has also been battling its worst wildfires in two decades, exacerbated by record droughts in the Amazon rainforest. As the fire season continues, both countries are working together to bring the situation under control.