Holbox, Q.R. — Quintana Roo Civil Protection says they are still battling a wildfire northwest of the town of Holbox. The fire started Friday and remains active, consuming to date, approximately 150 hectares.
Authorities say the fire is currently 40 percent under control and 30 percent out thanks to the coordinated work of 82 firefighters. According to State Civil Protection, the firemen are from the National Forestry Commission, the Municipal Civil Protection Directorate, the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas, the Ministry of National Defense, National Guard, the Ministry of the Navy and the local Fire Department.
“Three vehicles, one Civil Protection vehicle, four boats and a Bell 407 helicopter have been deployed to combat the situation, in addition to conducting direct combat actions, opening firebreaks, applying backfires, patrolling, surveillance, conducting reconnaissance flights and deploying water cannons,” the state agency reported.
State Civil Protection Director General Guillermo Núñez Leal reported that personnel have been working in the area since August 25 and that the crews will remain on duty until the fire is fully under control and extinguished.
According to Coordinación Estatal de Protección Civil, the fire was detected in La Ensenada within the Yum Balam Reserve. The bush fire is located 20 kilometers northwest of the town of Holbox and since it started on August 22, has affected approximately 150 hectares. The cause of the fire remains unknown.
On Thursday afternoon, the Coordinación Estatal de Protección Civil Quintana Roo reported “the State Civil Protection Coordination reports that last night, emergency services continued mitigation efforts on the forest fire located 20 km northwest of Holbox.
“Among the most notable firefighting techniques is the creation of a controlled fire belt that eliminates dry vegetation so that the main fire lacks fuel and can be extinguished.
“This is possible thanks to the experience of the National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR) firefighters, who work together with the State Civil Protection Coordination, the Secretariat of the Navy and the Lázaro Cárdenas Civil Protection Department.”
