Intense cold weather and snowstorms in July, principally in the highlands in the department of Potosi, have caused a number of victims and affected more than 2 400 families. About 50 per cent of the cattle is reported to be lost. The provinces of Sud Lipez, Nor Lipez, E. Valdivieso and A. Quijarro have been particularly hard hit. No relevant damage is reported to crops as most of the cereals grown in the area had been harvested. Subsequently, in the month of August, some 30 000 hectares of forest were destroyed by fire. It is reported that forestry is an important source of livelihood for the communities in the affected area. Normal weather conditions, by contrast, are reported in the main cereal producing Department of Santa Cruz where harvesting of the winter wheat crop (planted in April/May) is about to start. Total wheat production in 2002 is provisionally forecast at 143 000 tonnes, slightly above average. Aggregate maize output collected in 2002 was also above average at 724 000 tonnes. Planting of the important winter potato crop has started in the highland valleys.