A Wednesday morning fire in Guararí, Heredia, destroyed the homes of more than 530 people, according to Costa Rica's National Emergency Commission (CNE).
Environment Ministry officials claim 100 percent of the wildfires inside protected areas occurred because of people’s negligent or premeditated actions.
A fire Friday consumed most of the historic Black Star Line building in Costa Rica's Caribbean port city of Limón. The building was architectural heritage.
Strong winds blowing across Costa Rica this week have downed power lines, blown over trees and sparked maritime warnings over high winds and rough seas.
The ban stems from a study showing that sky lanterns, commonly known here as "globos de los deseos” or "wishing balloons," can burn through plastic, wood and other materials in minutes, constituting a major fire hazard.
At a recent health fair at the Children's Hospital, Daniel Garita, Pablo Herrera, Herson Salas, Edwin González and Walter Chacón greeted fans: a long line of nurses, secretaries, doctoras and technicians snapped up the calendars and waited turns for photos. Fifty calendars were sold in an hour.
