Puebla has seen an increase in forest fires during March, with 75% of those that occurred in the last two weeks intentionally set, according to state government data.
According to statistics from the National Forestry Commission (Conafor), Puebla ranks third nationwide in fires recorded during the week of March 7-13, with a total of 18 incidents. It is also the seventh state with the largest area affected, with 154.15 hectares burned.
During the same period, only two states surpassed Puebla in the number of fires: the State of Mexico, with 38, and Jalisco, with 36.
Given this situation, Puebla authorities have launched investigations to identify those responsible.
“They are criminals, they are ecocides, and they are damaging the environment. The government has an obligation to bring order and prevent the devastation of our forests,” said Governor Alejandro Armenta.
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Fires soar in Puebla
The Secretary of Environment and Territorial Development, Rebeca Bañuelos, reported that between December 14, 2024, and March 17, 2025, 82 forest fires have been recorded. In comparison, 2024 was the most critical year, with 133 fires that devastated 9,205 hectares.
The 10 municipalities most affected by the amount of fire damage are:
Tlachichuca – 205.48 hectares
Chiconcuautla – 200 hectares
Cohetzala – 80 hectares
Xiutetelco – 65 hectares
San Nicolás de los Ranchos – 50.38 hectares
Santiago Miahuatlán – 50 hectares
Tetela de Ocampo – 37 hectares
Zacatlán – 36 hectares
Lafragua – 28 hectares
Tianguismanalco – 24.15 hectares
1,772 firefighters have been involved in combating these fires from December 2024 to March 2025.
Air operations underway
Given the increase in fires, Puebla Governor Alejandro Armenta Mier reported that air operations have been intensified. He explained that surveillance is carried out by Navy personnel and that the strategy to mitigate fires is based on the fire-sweeping system.
“We demonstrated the fire-sweeping system used by the helicopter. The pilots are also Navy personnel because they have to undergo training, because carrying a special load requires knowing how to maneuver the helicopter. It also requires precision because the distance can cause errors, making it useless,” the Puebla governor explained.
The governor also emphasized that the emergency response has been streamlined, allowing rescue teams to reach affected areas in less than an hour.
“We respond to reported fires within 30 minutes to an hour at most, preventing them from spreading out of control,” he stated.
How are forest fires in Mexico faring in 2025?
So far this year, 935 forest fires have been reported in 30 states, damaging a total of 60,845.96 hectares.
According to the Conafor report, of this area, 94% is grassland and shrubland, while 6% has affected trees.
States with the Highest Number of Fires
The 10 states with the most forest fires, representing 81% of the national total, are:
Jalisco
State of Mexico
Mexico City
Chihuahua
Michoacán
Puebla
Durango
Morelos
Veracruz
Guanajuato
States with the Largest Damaged Area
The 10 states with the largest damaged area, representing 89% of the national total, are:
Baja California
Jalisco
Sinaloa
Chihuahua
Nayarit
Aguascalientes
Zacatecas
Guanajuato
Durango
Chiapas
To date, 24,524 person-days have been spent responding to forest fires.
How can we prevent them?
To prevent and combat forest fires, these are some recommendations based on Conafor protocols:
If you are near a forest fire:
Cover your nose and mouth with a damp cloth to protect yourself from the smoke.
Report the fire by calling 01-800-INCENDIO (4623-6346).
Avoid causing fires:
Do not throw trash or flammable materials on roads and paths, such as glass, bottles, or debris.
Do not light campfires in forested areas, grasslands, or rural areas.
If you find the remains of campfires, extinguish them completely using water and earth. Make sure there are no embers left that could rekindle the fire.
Avoid using machinery or vehicles that can generate sparks in forested areas, grasslands, and rural areas, as these can start a fire.
Forest fires can be prevented if they are reported promptly and precautions are taken to avoid contributing to their start.
Source: lasillarota
