Puerto Morelos, Q.R. — Municipal authorities say 11 forest fires around Puerto Morelos have already scorched over 1,000 hectares. The largest of them was La Selva which consumed approximately 800 hectares before being extinguished.
Irma Ávila Méndez, who coordinates municipal Civil Protection, detailed that so far this season, 11 forest fires have been reported in Puerto Morelos affecting an area of 1,076 hectares. Among the fires is La Selva, which consumed 800 hectares of lowland forest, she said.
According to Ávila Méndez, as is the case every year, most fires are caused intentionally or unintentionally, by humans since they are often handled without the necessary safety measures. She says when they get out of control, they cause disasters.
“We have insisted that agricultural burning be carried out in a controlled manner to prevent the fire from spreading and that campfires be completely extinguished for the same purpose, however, oversights continue to occur,” she said.
She also mentioned that in the town of Puerto Morelos, they have a brigade of 10 combatants contracted through an agreement with the National Forestry Commission (Conafor), while in Leona Vicario, there are five trained personnel acting as first responders. They each have a vehicle for transportation and combat tools.
“It’s worth noting that the brigades are provided with machetes, rakes, helmets, goggles and chainsaws,” she said. “If the fire gets out of control, we request support from Conafor who sends us personnel and equipment.”
Jordi Jalil Chalim Vargas, Civil Protection Director for Puerto Morelos, explained that the first forest fire of the season called “Las Torres,” was reported on March 21 consuming 35 hectares. On March 31, fire Santa María destroyed 20 hectares and on April 10, fire La Autopista ate through 25 hectares of Puerto Morelos land.
On April 15, forest firefighters were out again battling La Cuchilla which burned 30 hectares and on April 17, they fought San Valentín and Saca Cosechas, fires that burned two and 40 hectares, respectively.
On April 25, the Zona de Pozos 20 fire was reported, consuming 15 hectares and on April 26, the Zona de Pozos 36 fire burned another 17 hectares. On April 27, the Tren Maya fire burned two hectares and on May 2, the Ixora fire burned 90 hectares before it was put out and on May 7, they fought their largest forest fire to date, which was La Selva fire burned 800 hectares.
Chalim Vargas reported thar from March 16 to May 7, the Fire Department responded to 90 brush fires, which are not considered forest fires because they occurred along roads or on land within the urban areas of Puerto Morelos and Leona Vicario.
