Wildfires at Guantanamo ignite Cuban minefield, force brief evacuation of Navy base housing

Wildfires at Guantanamo ignite Cuban minefield, force brief evacuation of Navy base housing

"A wildfire ignited mines laid by the Cuban military decades ago and jumped the fence line at the U.S. Navy base at Guantánamo Bay on Thursday, threatening buildings and forcing evacuations of six neighborhoods for much of the day.

No one was injured, base spokeswoman Julie Ann Ripley said. In a rare instance of U.S.-Cuban collaboration, a Cuban helicopter flew over the fence line to the U.S.-controlled base and dumped water on some of the fire. Cuban security forces also “provided personnel and some trucks,” Ripley said, “so that was very, very helpful.”

She said the assistance was provided under an agreement for “mutual support that we have during natural or manmade disasters.”

Throughout the day, base firetrucks rushed up and down Sherman Avenue, the base’s main street, with sirens wailing. Navy and Air Force engineers as well as base public works crews widened roads and built “fire breaks” to prevent flames from crossing into neighborhoods, and Navy C-12 aircraft flew overhead scouting the scene.(...)"


[link to www.miamiherald.com]