Update on Wildfires: What is being Done and Prospects for Improvement

Belmopan. April 27, 2020. 3:50 p.m.

The Forest Department, the Department of the Environment and other agencies including the Fire Department, the Belmopan City Council, and the business community continue to join forces to fight fires around Belmopan and out west in the Vaca Forest Reserve.  Major successes were recorded yesterday, Sunday, April 26th, around Belmopan and in the Vaca Forest Reserve.  

Belmopan: Yesterday, Sunday, April 26th, the Forest Department along with the Belmopan City Council and Westar Services, successfully controlled two wildfires in northeast Belmopan. The crew remained dedicated to the task well into the night to ensure the fires would not reignite. The smoke from these fires has now subsided, and this morning in northern Belmopan, the conditions are much improved. Throughout the course of today, the situation will be monitored closely to ensure there are no flare-ups. 

The Ministry commends the dedicated officers of the Forest Department, Fire Department, the Mayor and staff of the Belmopan City Council, as well as employees of Westar Services, for their effort and service to their community. The crew will now move to address other escaped fires in southern Belmopan. Fortunately, the weather conditions have improved and daytime temperatures are now in the mid-90s compared to 107 degrees Fahrenheit experienced last week.  

Vaca Forest Reserve: Yesterday, Sunday, April 26th, the Forest Department wildland fire crew from the Mountain Pineridge Forest Reserve brought a large wildfire in the Vaca Forest Reserve with multiple fronts under control. This fire was burning on multiple fronts – east, south, and west, and was responsible for much of the smoke over Benque Viejo, San Ignacio and Santa Elena.  The most aggressive fire on the eastern flank was brought under control by yesterday evening. As a result of this, the conditions in the San Ignacio, Benque, and Santa Elena areas have vastly improved, and there is less smoke in the air. 

The Forest Department fire crew will continue to fight the fires on the southern and western flanks to prevent further spread into the Chiquibul National Park. The Ministry commends the dedicated officers of the Forest Department for their effort and service to their community. 

Other parts of the country: There are wildfires in other parts of the country including around the St. Herman’s Cave, Springfield, and Bladen Nature Reserve. With the help of partners from the Belize Audubon Society, Y’axche Conservation Trust and Toledo Institute for Development and Environment, these fires are being fought. The Ministry commends these organizations and other business community members for their effort and service to their community.  

Recap of the situation to date: For the benefit of the public the following facts recap the situation up to now:

1. The State of Emergency declared on April 1st , and enhanced on April 11th , limited the movement of non-essential personnel, which included the Forestry Department and the Department of the Environment.  Nevertheless, due to the health risks posed by smoke, agricultural burnings were monitored remotely by satellite. 
2. Around April 11th, the agricultural fires intensified, and new legislation was crafted to address the matter.  With the approval of the Ministry of National Security, the Forest Department and Department of the Environment were activated to engage in field reconnaissance to put a handle on the matter and to engage in an aggressive awareness campaign.  
3. On April 21st, the new legislation came into effect, and the Department of the Environment and the Forest Department continued their awareness campaign and began enforcement of the new law.  A 77% reduction in agricultural fires was recorded shortly thereafter. 
4. Despite the reduction in new agricultural fires, with daytime temperatures soaring to 107 degrees Fahrenheit, by April 24th, the smoldering fires from agricultural lands escaped into wildfires. In the Vaca Forest Reserve, the escaped agricultural fires began burning into the Vaca Forest.    
5. Forest Department fire crews were immediately mobilized and quickly responded to these wildfires which threatened Belmopan, Benque Viejo, San Ignacio and Santa Elena – the communities most affected by smoke.  
6. By the night of April 26th, many of the wildfires were under control. Smoky conditions have now improved and fire crews remain in the field mopping up remaining areas.  
7. Definitions: 
   1. Agricultural fire – a fire occurring solely on an agricultural plot, lit by a farmer to clear newly chopped land, to pre-burn before harvesting a crop, or to burn fodder leftover after harvest.  
   2. Wildfire (wildland fire, bushfire, forest fire) – a fire occurring on land covered in wild vegetation or forest, lit either by humans, or by an escaped agricultural fire, or by natural occurrence such as lightning.  

The regional situation: For the public to have a greater understanding of the challenge posed by changing weather patterns and an increased demand for farmland faced by countries like Belize, the below regional context is highlighted:

1. Regionally, the situation is worse.  In Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico, the situation is 10 times worse than in Belize.  As a result of this regional situation, smoke from fires all the way down in Nicaragua and Honduras are affecting Belize, causing smoky conditions even in the outer cayes.  See below table and maps.  

Photo: Fire points detected on April 26, 2020

In the above and below maps, red dots indicate a fire point recorded by the satellite system. 

Photo: Satellite view of the region on April 20, 2020. In the image below, smoke appears as grayish, wispy, cloud-like features. Smoke from fires in Honduras can be seen heading towards the outer cayes.

Belmopan area: 

Photos: Forest Department fire crew along with Belmopan City Council personnel and personnel from Westar Services work to out smoldering stumps and logs along the front of a bush fire in northeast Belmopan on Sunday April 26, 2020.  

Vaca Forest Reserve:

Photo: Forest Department fire crew planning the mode of attack in Vaca Forest Reserve on April 26, 2020.   

Photo: Forest Department bulldozer clearing a fire pass ahead of an active fire front in the Vaca Forest Reserve on April 26, 2020.  

Photo: Forest Department fire crew clearing a fire break inside the Vaca Forest Reserve on April 26, 2020. 

Ends

For more information, contact:
+501-822-0160    
ceo.sec@environment.gov.bz