Bahía de Banderas, Nayarit — Nearly 200 pairs of boots are on the ground battling a wild forest fire in Bahía de Banderas. Authorities say the fire is approximately 60 percent contained and that there are no plans for evacuations.
The forest fire that started March 15 in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Bahía de Banderas, Nayarit, is being fought by approximately 200 people.
“We currently have nearly 200 personnel working in conjunction with the National Guard, Army, Navy, COFONAY (National Forestry Commission), State Civil Protection, and Municipal Civil Protection. The command center is located in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle,” Mayor Hector Santana reported Tuesday.
“For now, all efforts are being handled by land, but at midday, we will reinforce with air support from the Navy. There is no need to evacuate families, however, we ask for the public’s cooperation in not engaging in any illegal burning of trash or grasslands.
“To those traveling on the highway towards La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, we ask for patience and caution! There are many personnel working in the area. If it is not necessary, please do not travel. They continue working 24/7 until the fire is under control!” he said.
Aerial surveys were started Tuesday afternoon to combat the forest fires in Banderas Bay.
Mayor Santana confirmed that reconnaissance flights were conducted to locate hotspots and water sources. The base of operations remains established in the La Cruz de Huanacaxtle area from where the brigades working directly on the hill are coordinated.
As of 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, the fire is reported to be 60% contained with support from firefighters and an MI-17 helicopter from the Mexican Navy. Reinforcements from Conafor were expected Wednesday from Jalisco and the Western Regional Fire Management Center.
“Authorities from all levels of government are continuing their efforts to control the fire in the municipality of Bahía de Banderas. The fire is currently contained while specialized brigades continue working to fully extinguish it,” the Gobierno de Bahía de Banderas reported.
“As part of the operation, ground patrols are being conducted to identify active fire points and sweeps with hand tools to eliminate any hotspots that could reignite and prevent the fire from spreading to other areas.
“Civil Protection and Fire Department brigades from Bahía de Banderas are participating in these efforts in coordination with the Nayarit Forestry Commission (COFONAY), the Mexican Army and State Civil Protection, all of whom are working together in the affected area.”
Authorities said that although the fire remains contained, efforts will continue indefinitely until it is fully under control. State forestry brigades will join the firefighting efforts to reinforce the operation.
According to Conafor (Comisión Nacional Forestal), there are currently 32 active fires in 14 Mexican states.
