Chetumal, Q.R. — The National Forestry Commission has reported that so far this year, the state of Quintana Roo has recorded 48 forest fires, the same figure as last year. However this year, the number of hectares burned was nearly double that of the previous year.
According to La Comisión Nacional Forestal (Conafor), 48 forest fires have been doused around 10 municipalities of the state of Quintana Roo, however, the amount of burned land reached more than 12,100 hectares, a significant increase from the 6,300 hectares from the previous forest fire season.
Román Castillo Carballo, head of Conafor, said that thanks to the work carried out by various agencies and institutions, the areas burned in the 10 municipalities has not been greater. Elements of National Defense, the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas, Mexican Navy Secretariat of the Environment, Ministry of Environment, State and Municipal Civil Protection, ejido volunteers and Conafor, have all participated in combating the state’s forest fires this year.
In 2018, the 48 recorded fires burned a total of 6,388 hectares. This year, the same amount of fires consumed 12,121 hectares. La Comisión Nacional Forestal says that this year’s fire battles were greater due to the extreme drought around the state.
Despite the significant damage suffered by Quintana Roo forest, there is still an active fire in the municipality of Felipe Carrillo Puerto known as Muyil Xamach, which has consumed 10 hectares and whose control is hindered by conditions of the land.
