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Friday, February 23, 2024

Environment Ministry officials report increased damage of wildfires inside protected areas

The number of hectares burnedĀ in wildfires inside protected lands so far this year is the highest since 2014, the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) reported this week.

Between Jan. 1 andĀ March 21 a total of 25 wildfires destroyed 317 hectares of forests, pastures or grasslands inside national parks, natural reserves and other protected areas.

Environment Ministry (MINAE) records state wildfires in the same period of 2014 destroyed 117 hectares. The figure rose to 134 in 2015 and to 209 last year.

The most severeĀ impactĀ occurred atĀ protected areas along the Pacific provinces of Guanacaste and Puntarenas.Ā The Central Pacific has the worst numbers as five fires in this region consumed 144 hectares, according to SINAC’s report.

Protected areas inĀ the Chorotega RegionĀ ā€”that comprises Guanacaste and UpalaĀ inĀ Alajuelaā€” followed in second place. Eight wildfires in the northwestern region have destroyed 111 hectares.

Seven wildfires in the Brunca Region, that includes protected areas in the South Pacific, have burned 62 hectares so far this year, and are third in SINAC’sĀ damage report.

Human action

SINACā€™s report states ā€œ100 percent of the wildfires inside protected areas occurred because of peopleā€™s negligent or premeditated actions.ā€

The main causes are fires started to clear farmlands and that went out of control. Also fires started by poachers and bonfires lit by vacationers in open fields.

Coordinator of SINACā€™s National Commission on Wildfires Luis Diego RomĆ”n Madriz told The Tico Times that they are concerned about the increase in the number of hectares burned during the current dry season.

ā€œWeā€™re still in March and the number of burned hectares usually spike drastically in April and May,ā€ RomĆ”n said.

ā€œMany farmers, for example, burn grasslands in May because rains usually begin that month and that fact usually cause a hugeĀ spike in wildfires, that in many cases extends to national parks and other natural reservesā€ he added.

Costa Rica has extensive legislation from MINAE and the Criminal Code stipulating monetary fines and prison time for provoking a wildfire inside a protected area. ā€œSanctions apply both for arsonists or for those who accidentally startĀ a fire inside protected lands,ā€ RomĆ”n said.

Environment Ministry laws stipulate monetary fines up to ā‚”3 million ($5,300) for people found guilty of starting a wildfire.

They also could face charges under the country’sĀ Forestry Law thatĀ provides prison sentences ranging from two months to 3 years for accidentally or intentionally starting a wildfire.

In case a fire provokes injure or death of people, suspects will face criminal charges that could result in convictions of up to 20 years in prison.

Wildfire season 2017
(VIA Guanacaste Conservation Area/SINAC)

A matter of evidence

The main issue environmental officials faceĀ is that ā€œproving or presenting compelling evidence against the alleged suspect of setting up a wildfire is very difficult,ā€ RomĆ”n said.

Park rangers have legal authority to detain a suspect and file aĀ criminal complaint before a Judicial court. ā€œBut they need a strong evidence or witnesses, and thatā€™s not always easy to find,ā€ he said.

Yet a conviction not always represent a punishment.Ā RomĆ”n recalled that a farmer in Southern San JosĆ© was convicted last year to three years in prison for a wildfire that he started inside his property.

ā€œHe, however, was given probation because he didnā€™t have any criminal records,ā€ heĀ said.

The Agriculture and Livestock Ministry grants farmers permits for burning pasturelands, just as long as they comply with a series of measures to prevent the fire from expanding to nearby areas.

HoweverĀ a largeĀ number of wildfires resultĀ of the action ofĀ farmers that keep burningĀ their landsĀ without a permit, meaning, without following the appropriate safety measures, RomĆ”n said.

Extended dry season

SINAC reported that current weather conditions are playing a key factor in the increase in figures of hectares burned by fires.

Costa Rica is currently amid the dry season, which usually runs December-May. ā€œStrong winds, high temperatures and low relative humidity are causing a desiccation of the grasslands, and this facilitates conditions for a rapid expansion of blazes,ā€ RomĆ”n said.

Forecasts from the National Meteorological Institute state that the dry season this year could even extend to June in some areas along the Pacific region.

ā€œWeā€™re somehow afraid of the possible consequences of those weather previsions in the number of wildfires this year,ā€ he said.

SINAC officials are asking the population to avoid lighting bonfires. Also ask farmers to reduceĀ grassland burningsĀ or, at least, take all required provisions of the law.

L. Arias
L. Arias
Reporter | The Tico Times |

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