Firefighters in Costa Rica report a stark increase in forest fires this year, with 33 incidents recorded. This number marks an elevenfold jump from the three fires noted on the same date in 2025, signaling a troubling acceleration as the dry season takes hold. Gabriel Barrantes, from the Fire Department’s Forest Operations Unit, points to the rapid pace of these events.
He notes that last year’s total reached 66 fires, a 53 percent drop from 2024’s 141 emergencies, which scorched 27,865 hectares and stood as the worst in a decade. Yet, 2026 already shows signs of surpassing recent trends, with 1,250 hectares affected so far, excluding four ongoing blazes.
The peak period for fires typically falls between late February and March, Barrantes explains, making this early spike particularly concerning. Guanacaste bears the brunt, accounting for 25 of the 33 fires. Crews currently battle active flames in Carrillo, Nicoya, Cañas, and Salinas in Puntarenas.
Traditional hot spots include Guanacaste, the Central Pacific coast, Alajuela, and corridors along Routes 27 and 1, plus northern Puntarenas and Cañas. But patterns shift: over the past three years, fires have spread to Limón, Heredia, Cartago, and indigenous lands, broadening the threat beyond the Pacific.
Human actions drive most outbreaks, Barrantes stresses. Unlike places where lightning sparks blazes, Costa Rica’s fires stem from people burning trash, leaves, or using uncontrolled agricultural methods. He calls for better waste handling to curb these risks.
The toll extends far past charred land. Fires disrupt wildlife habitats, reduce carbon storage, and harm water supplies by damaging watersheds, which limits aquifer recharge and leads to shortages in nearby areas. Soil erosion follows, as burned ground fails to hold water, compounding long-term effects.
Cold fronts add urgency, as they whip up winds that fan flames. Authorities urge residents to skip all burns during these times. The dry season officially began January 16, with strong winds and low rain fueling the surge. By early February, firefighters had handled 14 forest fires, doubling the prior year’s count for that period. Emergency calls for all fire types exceeded 1,000 by January 19, nearly twice 2025’s early tally.
In conservation areas alone, 20 fires hit by mid-February, up from 16 just days earlier. A blaze near Liberia’s airport consumed over 100 hectares, while others in Tuetal Sur and Sardinal demanded simultaneous responses. Last year’s insurance claims from home damages, including fires, topped 1 billion colones, hinting at broader economic strain if trends persist.
Barrantes emphasizes prevention: report suspicious smoke promptly and adopt safe practices. With conditions ripe for escalation, community vigilance remains key to protecting Costa Rica’s landscapes.
