Jalisco Governor Enrique Alfaro Ramírez is charging that seven fires that broke out almost simultaneously in and around the Guadalajara metropolitan area this week were set intentionally to destabilize his government.
Without mentioning any names, Alfaro blamed the fires on “people who (want) to hurt the city and profit politically.”
Alfaro said there can be no alternative explanation for seven fires breaking out at the same time, and in areas “where there is no agricultural activity” that “have never burned before.”
Firefighters tackled blazes in El Tepopote, Cerro del Colli, Cerro de los Bailarines, El Poleo, Rancho Contento, Centinela and El Arenal. As of Wednesday evening, all has been brought under control, Jalisco Civil Protection said.
An air quality alert was issued Tuesday after ash clouds spread in over parts of Zapopan, but was lifted early the following day.