Holbox Island Fire: 150 Hectares Burned, Still Active

Holbox, Quintana Roo — A fire on Holbox Island has affected at least 150 hectares of land. Although authorities from various levels of government continue to work to contain it, the fire remains active.

The State Coordination of Civil Protection (Coeproc) reports that the brush fire, located 20 kilometers northwest of the town of Holbox, is still active. The fire began on August 22 and has affected approximately 150 hectares.

Current reports indicate the fire is 40 percent contained and 30 percent extinguished, thanks to the coordinated work of 82 firefighters from the National Forestry Commission (Conafor), the Municipal Directorate of Civil Protection, the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (Conanp), the Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena), the National Guard (GN), the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar), the Fire Department, and Coeproc.

To combat the fire on Holbox, three Conafor vehicles, one Civil Protection vehicle, four boats, and a Bell 407 helicopter have been deployed. Efforts include direct firefighting, opening firebreaks, applying backfires, patrolling, surveillance, reconnaissance flights, and aerial water drops.

The Director General of Coeproc in Quintana Roo, Guillermo Núñez Leal, reported that personnel have been working in the area since August 25 and that the brigades will remain on task until total control and extinguishment of the fire is achieved.

The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time.

The State Civil Protection Commission reiterated its commitment to the protection and security of communities and the environment within the framework of the new agreement for the well-being of Quintana Roo, under the direction of Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa.

It is worth noting that this fire, which has not yet been fully controlled, has affected more than 150 hectares of vegetation, including palm chit. Although this version is unconfirmed, some environmentalists in Holbox assert that this fire in the area known as La Ensenada may have been deliberately set to later erect some type of construction there, a situation that has occurred before.

Despite the fact that firefighters have been combating this fire for several days, it is expected to take them several more days to fully extinguish the flames. As noted, some reports indicate the fire on Holbox was set intentionally to later build in that zone. However, nothing has been confirmed.