Mexico officials say 99% of forest fires are human-caused

Mexico agencies set 2026 actions on forest fires

Environmental authorities met to strengthen prevention, coordination and response to forest fires in Mexico.

Mexico Business News reported that the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) convened the Interinstitutional Group for Fire Management through the National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR).

Alicia Bárcena, Minister, SEMARNAT, said the country has active coordination among 36 agencies including public security, civil protection, the armed forces, academia and state governments.

During the meeting, participating agencies agreed actions for 2026 including increasing ground and aerial operational capacity, improving monitoring and available information, reinforcing prevention of agricultural burning, expanding training and participation of brigades including the student community, and strengthening public prevention messaging.

Fire statistics and programme development in mexico

CONAFOR stated that in Mexico 99% of forest fires are of human origin.

Between 2018 and 2024, the country recorded an average of 7,137 forest fires per year, affecting an average area of 802,345 ha annually.

Around 31% of these fires were linked to agricultural activities associated with land-use change, with an average of 2,208 fires per year in that category during the period.

Bárcena said the Fire Management Program 2026–2050 is under development and aims to transition toward a more preventive, comprehensive and long-term sustainable management model.

Bárcena said: “Prevention, preparedness, and early coordination save ecosystems and protect lives,”

CONAFOR figures show 198 forest fires have been recorded in Mexico so far this year, affecting a total area of 5,443 ha.

Morelos reported 23 incidents, Michoacan reported 22 and Jalisco reported 21.

CONAFOR identified causes including 27.78% intentionally set, 15.66% linked to agricultural activities and 8.59% linked to livestock activities, with 34.85% not yet determined.

International response and local outreach work

Mexico Business News reported that Bárcena said Mexico has supported Chile and Canada by deploying Mexican firefighters to assist with large-scale forest fires.

Bárcena said: “Over the past two years, 525 firefighters and specialized technical personnel from CONAFOR have participated in international assistance efforts, which reflects the prestige Mexico holds internationally in fire management,”

SEMARNAT reported that a contingent of 145 firefighters and fire management specialists deployed to Chile, transported starting on Jan. 21, carried out actions including 8,390 m of firebreak construction, 2,803 m of direct suppression and control, 4,384 m of hotspot extinguishment, and 47,745 m of perimeter surveillance and hotspot tracking.

As part of fire prevention work and sustainable forest management within the framework of the Michoacan Plan for Peace and Justice, CONAFOR held outreach meetings in Michoacan to present the 2026 Operating Rules of the Sustainable Forestry Development for Wellbeing Program to landowners with forest resources.

The sessions presented the programme’s six components as Community Forest Management and Value Chains, Commercial Forest Plantations, Forest Restoration, Environmental Services, Forest Protection, and Capacity Building and Local Development.

Chilean authorities declared a state of catastrophe in the Biobío and Ñuble regions, where fires have burned approximately 20,000–24,000 ha and displaced more than 20,000 people.