The Sierra de las Mines It is still beaten by forest fires. One of the most recent was recorded in Zacapa between him May 11 and 13, 2025and although it was controlled, The amount of hectares affected has not yet been determined exactly Within this nature reserve.
Images and videos of the fire circulated on social networks and show how it expanded on the slopes, but the authorities confirmed that it was Until the third day they managed to control the fire in its entirety.
Waiting for the final report, the real level of damage caused in this protected area located in the east of the country is unknown.
The mountain chain crosses part of the east of the country and extends mainly by Zacapa, Baja Verapaz, Alta Verapaz, El Progreso and Izabal.
According to official data, during this dry season they have been affected thousand 130.82 hectares in the Sierra de las Minas. Although this figure is lower compared to that of previous years, the authorities warn that the impact could be extended in the long term.
“Each year thousands of hectares of forest are lost due to forest fires. When the fire is uncontrolled, millions of animals and plants die, and entire ecosystems are destroyed, in addition to endangering human lives. This is added other threats such as agricultural expansion, illegal felling and the usurpation of land in protected areas,” they said from the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP).
Fire in Teculután was controlled
The National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (Conred) reported that the fire registered until yesterday, Tuesday, May 13, in Teculután, Zacapa – in an area that covers areas inside and outside the reserve – was controlled in its entirety and is settled by 90%.
Our team on the ground confirms that the fire has been 100% controlled and settled at 90%. When the work is completed, they will prepare the final report and we can confirm the amount of hectares affected, the Conred communication team reported.
Although the authorities point out that in 2025 the dry season has been less intense, the threat persists.
The surface affected by fires in protected areas It is not enough of what was recorded in May of last year, which is attributed to a greater investment in prevention and training.
Prevention and response
In total, during this dry season they have registered 205 fires within protected areas, affecting 4 thousand 650.87 hectares. The most affected areas have been the Mayan Biosphere Reserve “Including the.” Laguna del Tigre National Park and the Sierra del Lacandón-, the Lake Atitlán Basin and the Sierra de las Mines itself.
CONAP has intensified preventive and response actions. During this period he has carried out more than 20 training in basic training for forest firefighters, aimed at institutional personnel, civil organizations, NGOs and municipalities.
In addition, a patrol and monitoring system with early alerts is maintained to quickly serve fire spotlights.
They demand to clarify case
In addition, the CONAP reported in a statement that on Friday, May 9, 2025, Marco Antonio Zuleta Quevedo, saving and forest firefighter of the Sierra de las Minas Biosphere Reserve was killed.
The Board of Directors of the Reserve expressed its energetic rejection of this crime, which described as an act perpetrated by people or groups with interests contrary to conservation and biodiversity.
They also urged the authorities to guarantee environmental justice and strengthen the protection of the country’s natural heritage.
Also read: “It is in potential threat”: Government warns of damage to the Mayan Biosphere Reserve