Forest Fires in Quintana Roo Drop by Half

Tulum, Quintana Roo — Forest fires in Quintana Roo have dropped by half this year, with 15 incidents recorded in 2026 compared with 29 in 2025, according to the state’s fire management center.

The affected area also fell significantly, from 6,641.55 hectares to 1,182.24 hectares, the Centro Estatal de Manejo del Fuego reported.

In Tulum, the decline was also notable: the municipality recorded seven fires affecting 203.34 hectares in 2025, while so far in 2026 it has seen three fires covering a preliminary 55.32 hectares.

Officials cautioned that the 2026 area figures are preliminary and could be revised after satellite imagery is analyzed once the fires are fully extinguished.

Among the municipalities with the most affected land, Othón P. Blanco led with three fires and 406 hectares, followed by Playa del Carmen with two fires and 305 hectares. Benito Juárez reported one fire and 200 hectares, while Isla Mujeres recorded four fires and 195.18 hectares.

Lázaro Cárdenas saw a dramatic improvement, dropping from seven fires and more than 3,591 hectares in 2025 to just two fires and 24.73 hectares this year.

As for the causes of the fires contained so far this year, hunters were the most frequently identified factor, accounting for six incidents. Three fires were linked to agricultural activities, two to smokers, and two to land-use change. The cause of two fires remains unknown.

The state fire management center continues to monitor active and extinguished blazes through an interactive map and maintains emergency hotlines for municipalities across the state.

Authorities urged residents to exercise extreme caution during activities that could generate fire, warning that burns, campfires, and other practices can quickly escalate into large-scale wildfires when conditions are favorable.