Bolivia declares a state of emergency nationwide due to forest fires.

The Bolivian government declared a national emergency on August 20 due to the continued spread of forest fires in multiple areas, threatening natural protected areas. President Arce convened a cabinet meeting to approve an emergency decree, authorizing government agencies at all levels to initiate direct procurement, emergency budget allocation, and quickly coordinate relief efforts. The Ministry of Civil Defense stated that the government will convene foreign diplomatic missions in Bolivia to coordinate international relief efforts. Currently, there are 720 fire incidents nationwide, with the most severely affected area being the Madidi National Park, which has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. By 2024, Bolivia's ecological damage caused by forest fires reached a record level, with a burned area exceeding 12.6 million hectares, equivalent to 11.5% of the country's total land area.