No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveOfficials Investigate Fire on Isla Bejuco

Officials Investigate Fire on Isla Bejuco

Officials are investigating the cause of a massive forest fire on Isla Bejuco that spread a plume of smoke like a misty blanket over the Pacific coast Gulf of Nicoya and the abutting mainland in late March.

According to a statement from the National Fire Management Program, the fire was intentionally caused – though the “how” and “why” remains a mystery.

Luis Diego Román, coordinator of the Fire Management Program, told The Tico Times he is concerned that development pressures may have played a part. Development is prohibited in forested coastal areas.

The inferno, which began March 24, raged for two days and burned 20% of the heavily forested uninhabited small island and affected more than 40% of the island’s total 150 hectares, according to Román.

A brigade of 30 volunteer firefighters was called in from neighboring Isla Venado, which has roughly 1,100 inhabitants, to fight the fire.

“Dealing with the winds and the tides made it a very difficult situation,” he said. Strong winds allowed flames to jump over a line of defense the firefighters had constructed, prolonging the fight.

 

Trending Now

Costa Rica Extradites David Ochy to Panama for Alleged Money Laundering

Costa Rican authorities have extradited David Ochy, a former Panamanian presidential candidate, to Panama, where he faces charges of money laundering tied to the...

Costa Rica and Panama Seek Gold Cup Glory Against North American Giants

With no Caribbean teams advancing, a Central American contingent made up of Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Guatemala heads into the quarterfinals of the...

An Expat’s Take: 5 Burning Questions About Life in Costa Rica Right Now

Have you been keeping up with the various events taking place in Costa Rica? There is always something interesting going down, and here are...

Chiquita Brands Leaves Panama Amid Protests, Talks Underway to Resume

Laid-off workers from the U.S.-based banana company Chiquita Brands said on Monday that they are hoping for the company’s return to Panama, after it...

2025 Gold Cup: Honduras Advances After Dramatic Shootout, Mexico Ends Goal Drought

Honduras, with a surprising and dramatic penalty shootout victory over Panama, and Mexico, with a lackluster win against Saudi Arabia, advanced Saturday to the...

El Salvador Slams Paris Fashion Show Inspired by Cecot Mega-Prison Inmates

The president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, joked on Saturday that he could send inmates from his mega-prison to France, after they were represented...
Avatar
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica