Community volunteering in forest fire fighting in Montaña de Celaque National Park

On March 28, 2023, an incident marked and united an entire town for a common good. A large-scale forest fire affected 250 ha of the PNMC, 4 days were devoted to combat and control, the MAPANCE governing institution, organized its crew of fighters, who made direct combat, developed rounds and planning of combat strategy.

The communities organized themselves and joined the control and combat actions with the support of around 700 combatants per day, including men and women, who carried their tools, water and food to face the adverse conditions of climate, geography, fuel, among others.

After several unsuccessful control attempts, due to fatigue and tiredness, the terrain was analyzed and combat measures were restructured, thus managing to contain the fire on Friday, March 31. This was possible thanks to the strong community support, the guidelines of the technicians and forest firefighters of the MAPANCE community.