And, keeping it in the Cayo District…. Belize is entering the early stages of the dry season, and with it comes an increased risk of wildfires. As hotter days set in and stronger winds sweep through, fire experts are warning that preparation and training are critical.
This week in the Mountain Pine Ridge, firefighters and protected area managers are receiving hands-on fire management training aimed at preventing loss of life, property, and biodiversity. Jaleeza Roberts went to the San Miguel Camping Ground to get a first hand experience of the fire simulation:
These scattered fires may look scary - but they are actually controlled - part of the hands-on training by the Nature Conservancy - where forest rangers and firefighters were taught how to control fires by starting them.
Yes, starting controlled fires and performing hands-on experiments. This training is expected to prepare them for what lies ahead.
Blane Heumann
"Belizeans have fire every year in the dry season and many of these wildfires negatively impact our natural lands and protected areas. Rangers with Non-profit organizations, nature sanctuaries are learning important skills that will help them prevent the loss of people, buildings, and nature in the late part of the dry season."
Key areas of training include fire resistant attire, equipment to manage fires, and strategies for containment including the use of fire holes and judicious use of water - which if used carelessly can actually feed a fire.
The training brings together 40 local rangers and international fire experts to strengthen Belize's wildfire response. With the increase of global warming, it's necessary.
Blane Heumann
"Wildfires have been increasing, and Belize is not unique to that. Wildfire acreage or amount of wildfires are increasing globally. So as the earth warms, those warm periods, those dry periods, we're facing more fires and more intense fires. And Belize is no different. The year before last was a very bad year for both drought and wildfire. Drought and wildfire come together."
Beyond safety planning, protected area manager Lindon Mai says the goal is also to use fire responsibly where it belongs and prevent it where it does not.
Lindon Mai
"As the years go by, we've been noticing that, like I said, the risk of fire has become more prominent. We're seeing fires in areas where it does not belong in our community spaces in the broadleaf forest, where it completely destroys biodiversity. But here, we're trying to understand how best to use fire to assist with regeneration and increase biodiversity in these areas."
The fire managers hope to mitigate the risk before these fires threaten homes, forests, and lives. And if you might be in a high risk area, here are some tips.
Saleem Chan
"Looking at it from a safety component, life is what's most important to people. nature and assets, yes, but what is assets or nature without you being alive? So first and foremost is to conserve your life in the event of a wildfire, removing yourself and family members away. Yes, we also advise people to ensure in the event that your home is prone to a wildfire, remove basic things, information, key documents that you definitely wouldn't want to lose. So it's important to prepare prior. We advise people to do clearing in and around their home, removing brush from your fence lines and to be fire ready and fire safe."
Fire season runs from February to June, Jaleeza Roberts, 7 News.
The training will end next week.