Sian Ka’an, Q.R. — Firefighters have managed to contain approximately 75 percent of a wild fire that has destroyed over 2,500 hectares of the state’s Sian Ka’an Biosphere in the area of Costa Maya.
Brigades from varies organizations have been fighting the massive blaze for more than a week. Arturo Abreu Marin of the federal government in Quintana Roo has confirmed more than 2,500 hectares of the reserves has been destroyed by the fire, adding that 124 firefighters continue to battle the blaze.
In a press release by the Secretariat of Ecology and Environment, two MI-17 helicopters from the Secretariat of National Defense were issued to help battle the out-of-control flames. They report that although there are still active hot spots, the fire no longer presents a risk of spreading.
The fire, which began near the town of Muyil, quickly spread, engulfing the mass grassland area of the reserve. It is believed to have been started by poachers.