United for Suyapa Wildlife Refuge: Forest Fire Prevention and Ecological Restoration
by Marvin Lopez Torres, Mesoamerica Program Co-Manager
The dry season in Central America, which extends from January to April, presents a high risk of forest fires every year; March and April are usually the most critical months. In 2024, this situation worsened considerably with the presence of the El Niño phenomenon, which raised temperatures to historic levels. In Honduras, highs of up to 107 °F (42 °C) were recorded and it is estimated that more than 734,000 acres of forest were consumed by fires across the country. The Suyapa Wildlife Refuge (RVSS), located in central Honduras, was no exception. The same year, more than 519 acres within the protected area were affected by fires.
Forest fires in the Suyapa refuge, 2024
Faced with this constant threat, the Suyapa Village Ecological Committee (COEAS), with financial and technical support from Trees, Water & People (TWP), has strengthened its efforts in 2025 to prevent and combat forest fires. This year, COEAS has implemented a comprehensive strategy that includes:
The construction and maintenance of more than 5 kilometers of firebreaks in the most vulnerable areas of the refuge; awareness campaigns in social networks and local media; technical equipment for immediate response brigades; and, the active participation of communities, volunteers and technical staff, as well as collaboration with state institutions, local governments, civil organizations, academia and allied NGOs.
COEAS and Forest Conservation Institute (ICF) personnel
In addition to fire prevention and control actions, COEAS has strengthened its commitment to ecological restoration through other partnerships. This year they created a new nursery with capacity to produce more than 70,000 seedlings of native species, which will allow us to make decisive progress in the reforestation of the most affected areas.
Nursery established in partnership with Fundación Liquidámbar
The results are already visible: although fires have still occurred in some areas of the refuge, none of the reforested areas with more than 40,000 plants have been affected. This demonstrates the positive impact of a well-coordinated strategy and the importance of acting in advance.
One month before the end of the dry season and with the hope of the first rains, an encouraging finding is also reported: springs and water sources vital to the communities have begun to recover thanks to the protection of the forest and the ongoing restoration work.
The Suyapa Wildlife Refuge is a living example of how community commitment, organization and strategic alliances can make a difference in the face of climate change and its effects.
Zone in recovery since 2019
