Mexico officials say 99% of forest fires are human-caused

by Americas - Featured NewsFeatured NewsWildland Fire

Mexico agencies set 2026 actions on forest fires

Environmental authorities met to strengthen prevention, coordination and response to forest fires in Mexico.

Mexico Business News reported that the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) convened the Interinstitutional Group for Fire Management through the National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR).

Alicia Bárcena, Minister, SEMARNAT, said the country has active coordination among 36 agencies including public security, civil protection, the armed forces, academia and state governments.

During the meeting, participating agencies agreed actions for 2026 including increasing ground and aerial operational capacity, improving monitoring and available information, reinforcing prevention of agricultural burning, expanding training and participation of brigades including the student community, and strengthening public prevention messaging.

Fire statistics and programme development in mexico

CONAFOR stated that in Mexico 99% of forest fires are of human origin.

Between 2018 and 2024, the country recorded an average of 7,137 forest fires per year, affecting an average area of 802,345 ha annually.

Around 31% of these fires were linked to agricultural activities associated with land-use change, with an average of 2,208 fires per year in that category during the period.

Bárcena said the Fire Management Program 2026–2050 is under development and aims to transition toward a more preventive, comprehensive and long-term sustainable management model.

Bárcena said: “Prevention, preparedness, and early coordination save ecosystems and protect lives,”

CONAFOR figures show 198 forest fires have been recorded in Mexico so far this year, affecting a total area of 5,443 ha.

Morelos reported 23 incidents, Michoacan reported 22 and Jalisco reported 21.

CONAFOR identified causes including 27.78% intentionally set, 15.66% linked to agricultural activities and 8.59% linked to livestock activities, with 34.85% not yet determined.

International response and local outreach work

Mexico Business News reported that Bárcena said Mexico has supported Chile and Canada by deploying Mexican firefighters to assist with large-scale forest fires.

Bárcena said: “Over the past two years, 525 firefighters and specialized technical personnel from CONAFOR have participated in international assistance efforts, which reflects the prestige Mexico holds internationally in fire management,”

SEMARNAT reported that a contingent of 145 firefighters and fire management specialists deployed to Chile, transported starting on Jan. 21, carried out actions including 8,390 m of firebreak construction, 2,803 m of direct suppression and control, 4,384 m of hotspot extinguishment, and 47,745 m of perimeter surveillance and hotspot tracking.

As part of fire prevention work and sustainable forest management within the framework of the Michoacan Plan for Peace and Justice, CONAFOR held outreach meetings in Michoacan to present the 2026 Operating Rules of the Sustainable Forestry Development for Wellbeing Program to landowners with forest resources.

The sessions presented the programme’s six components as Community Forest Management and Value Chains, Commercial Forest Plantations, Forest Restoration, Environmental Services, Forest Protection, and Capacity Building and Local Development.

Chilean authorities declared a state of catastrophe in the Biobío and Ñuble regions, where fires have burned approximately 20,000–24,000 ha and displaced more than 20,000 people.

Fire prevention in Latin America: Study finds gaps in fire safety regulations

by Featured NewsSafety

Fire prevention concerns grow as study finds regulatory gaps in Latin America

More than half of all fires globally occur in Latin America due to limited fire safety regulations, according to a new report by the Latin American Fire Protection Network (Latam PCI), the Mexican Association of Automatic Fire Sprinklers (AMRACI), and the National Fire Protection Council (CONAPCI).

As reported by Chronica, the findings were shared during a live online event streamed across 12 member countries of Latam PCI.

The report, which represents the second regional analysis led from Mexico, identified a lack of consistent regulation as a key issue for the region and analysed the fire protection policies in various countries.

Mexico ranks last in workplace fire safety classification

The study placed Mexico last in occupational fire safety classification across Latin America.

It also found Mexico ranked sixth in fire protection equipment availability, behind Argentina, Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador.

Latam PCI, AMRACI, and CONAPCI stated the data highlighted the extent of fire risk in Mexico due to regulatory deficiencies.

The report pointed to a substantial gap in safety measures that could affect both public wellbeing and the protection of infrastructure.

Report calls for harmonised regulatory frameworks

The study identified the absence of a unified regulatory framework across Latin American countries as a major challenge for improving fire safety.

It proposed that the findings could serve as a tool to identify opportunities for policy development and standardisation of fire prevention practices.

The organisations involved in the study said there is an opportunity for Mexico to review its regulatory development and take specific actions to improve safety conditions.

Increased urban risks outpacing regulatory progress in Mexico

The report noted that while Mexico has experienced advances in population growth, infrastructure, and construction technologies, fire incidents have increased.

It found that regulatory improvements have not kept pace with changes in the urban environment and industrial activity.

The study emphasised that fire prevention affects all productive sectors due to the risks associated with processes, materials, and occupancy density.

Fire prevention in Latin America: Study finds gaps in fire safety regulations: Summary

Latam PCI, AMRACI, and CONAPCI published a fire prevention report indicating that over 50% of global fires occur in Latin America.

The study found Mexico ranked last in occupational fire safety classification and sixth in fire protection equipment availability among countries in the region.

The report was presented during an online event broadcast in 12 Latin American countries.

It analysed national regulatory environments and highlighted the lack of a shared framework across countries.

The study stated that increased risks in Mexico, driven by urbanisation and new construction, have not been met with matching regulatory improvements.

The report recommended addressing the current gaps to strengthen regulations and reduce fire risk.