Forest Fire North of Xpu-Há More Than 50% Contained

Firefighters and civil protection personnel work to contain the El Viejo forest fire north of Xpu-Há, Quintana Roo.

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Firefighters and civil protection personnel from Playa del Carmen have joined efforts to fight, control, and extinguish the “El Viejo” forest fire burning north of Xpu-Há, working in coordination with the National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR).

The Secretariat of Civil Protection, Risk Prevention and Firefighters said a team of 10 personnel is taking part in ground operations as part of a coordinated response to stop the fire from spreading to other vegetation areas.

According to the state Fire Management Center, the fire is located about 30 kilometers north of Xpu-Há’s town center and has affected roughly 100 hectares of vegetation.

Authorities report the fire is more than 50 percent contained, with crews continuing to work on the various fronts before moving toward full extinguishment.

Meanwhile, firefighters are carrying out patrols and monitoring across different parts of the municipality, especially in areas where residents have reported smoke or fire activity.

Officials noted that smoke from vegetation fires can drift toward urban areas during the night and early morning due to wind conditions, so constant surveillance remains in place.

The secretariat said it will continue working with CONAFOR and other authorities until the fire is fully controlled and extinguished.

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By Ana Reyes

Ana Reyes covers environmental policy, conservation initiatives, infrastructure projects, and political developments across the Yucatán Peninsula for Riviera Maya News & Events. She reports on issues from sargassum management and reef conservation to the Maya Train, coastal development, and state and federal policy affecting Quintana Roo and the broader peninsula.Ana has covered environmental and political news since 2023, tracking key developments in Mexico's environmental regulations, coral reef protection, coastal zone management, and the intersection of tourism development with conservation efforts. Her reporting spans from Cancun's hotel zone to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve and the culturally significant regions of the Yucatán interior.Ana is fluent in English and Spanish, and draws from a wide range of sources including government environmental agencies, conservation organizations, academic researchers, and local community leaders to provide balanced, well-sourced coverage. She is particularly focused on how environmental policy decisions affect the daily lives of residents and the long-term sustainability of the region.For story tips: ana@rivieramayanews.mx