No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsEnvironment and WildlifeForest Fire Rages in Costa Rica's Lomas de Barbudal Biological Reserve

Forest Fire Rages in Costa Rica’s Lomas de Barbudal Biological Reserve

Authorities of the Arenal Tempisque Conservation Area (ACAT) reported that a forest fire broke out in the Lomas de Barbudal Biological Reserve (RBLB).

The fire started this Saturday and is spreading rapidly, despite the fact that all the human resources available at ACAT have been used to fight the fire. The situation is aggravated by the presence of several forest fire outbreaks, both inside and outside the reserve.

“The affected sector is highly complex due to the broken topography, the scarcity of water sources, and the logistical difficulty in handling equipment such as motor pumps and blowers,” stated the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC).

These conditions have made it very difficult to control the fire, severely wearing out the personnel who are fighting the fire outbreaks, which are distributed in various points.

Costa Rican firefighters from the canton of Bagaces will join to provide support in controlling, extinguishing, and liquidating the forest fire outside the protected wildlife area.

“The site harbors a dry forest cover, composed of diverse vegetation types, featuring fuels spanning from light to medium and even heavy, facilitating the swift advancement of the fire, exacerbated by an abundance of leaf litter. The fuels’ low humidity, coupled with the area’s strong winds, further complicates the situation,” remarked Alexander Leon, Regional Director of the Arenal Tempisque Conservation Area.

So far, the damage caused by the fire has not been estimated; however, forest firefighters are working tirelessly to control and liquidate the fire as soon as possible, given the presence of strong winds, a situation that aggravates the fire and could allow it to advance in the Biological Reserve.

“The risk of the fire spreading into the Biological Reserve is very real, and it could cause a major disaster for the site’s ecosystem. There’s a lot of flammable material in this area, so if the fire reaches there, it would be really bad for the protected area,” emphasized Leon.

Trending Now

Strong Earthquake Shakes Panama’s Pacific Coast, No Damage Reported

A strong earthquake struck off Panama's Pacific coast today, rattling the region but causing no reported injuries or destruction. Seismologists pegged the magnitude at...

Guatemala Earthquakes Leave Two Dead and Several Injured

Two people died following the strong earthquakes that shook much of Guatemala on Tuesday and caused various material damages, according to civil protection authorities....

Former Costa Rican Minister Indicted in US on Drug Trafficking Charges

Celso Manuel Gamboa Sánchez, once a top Costa Rican security minister and judge, now sits in a maximum-security prison cell awaiting possible extradition to...

Panama’s Colonial Trade Route Named UNESCO World Heritage Site

The colonial route of Panama, used for centuries to transport the riches of the Americas on mules and boats and considered a forerunner of...

U.S. Foreign Investment Fuels Costa Rica’s Growth—But at What Cost?

Costa Rica has reached a new milestone in foreign direct investment (FDI), recording more than $4.3 billion in inflows in 2024—a 14% increase from...

Exiled Nicaraguan Journalists in Costa Rica Face Growing Harassment

Nicaragua has increased its “harassment and retaliation” against exiled journalists and their families who remain in the country, according to a report published Thursday...
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