Two large forest fires broke out on Sunday in the northwestern province of Guanacaste.

As of Tuesday morning, one fire had engulfed nearly 500 hectares of Palo Verde National Park and the second had consumed close to 100 hectares in Guanacaste National Park.

Crews have contained the blaze in Guanacaste National Park, but strong winds and thick, dry undergrowth have made it difficult for firefighters to control the flames in Palo Verde.

On Tuesday, firefighters and members of government fire control teams surrounded the conflagration with tractors and fire fighting equipment in hopes of stopping the inferno. Attempts on Monday to restrain the fires failed.

The fire in Palo Verde began in a remote area of park, according to official reports. Authorities believe that hunters caused the initial spark.

On Tuesday morning, firefighters and conservation officials monitored the fire from airplanes.

Including the two blazes that ignited on Sunday, there have been 35 forest fires inside protected areas this year that have devoured more than 700 hectares of conservation land.

In January, the Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Telecommunications (MINAET) warned that the El Niño-forced drought toward the end of 2009 would lead to active and prolonged forest fires during the dog days of 2010.

Conservation officials in Guanacaste said that April, before May brings showers, is the most critical month for forest fires, especially in the north Pacific region – the area in Costa Rica most affected by the 2009 drought.

So far, no homes or communities have been affected by forest fires this year.