Santa Cruz braces for first heatwave, elevated wildfire risk in Chiquitania

Bolivia's Santa Cruz department is forecast to experience its first heatwave of the season this week, with authorities warning of elevated forest fire risk, particularly in the Chiquitania region. The development signals an early start to the fire-prone dry season, which could strain local response resources. The severity and duration of the heatwave remain uncertain, but the warning underscores heightened environmental and agricultural vulnerability.