Mexico City kicked off the 2026 Forest Fire Combat Campaign by deploying nearly 4,000 personnel to safeguard green areas and conservation land. Government head Clara Brugada announced a prevention strategy aiming to cut fire impacts by 10 percent. The plan emphasizes clearing underbrush and coordinating with boroughs and residents.
Clara Brugada, head of Mexico City government, led the campaign launch on April 1, 2026. The effort includes 2,370 firefighters and 1,600 brigade members, plus 13 base camps, 82 specialized vehicles, and over 100 fire department units. Autonomous drones and communication systems for remote areas enhance detection, averaging 5 minutes, and response times of one hour and 48 minutes, among the nation's fastest.
Sixty percent of the capital's territory, about 88,000 hectares, is conservation land, posing a key challenge for environmental officials. Tlalpan and Milpa Alta boroughs account for 72 percent of forest fires due to their vast natural areas, making them priorities for preventive measures like clearing underbrush after the rainy season.
So far in 2026, there have been 107 forest fires, 68 minor incidents, and 25 in protected areas, affecting 40 hectares. Officials note most fires stem from human activities and urge residents to avoid tossing cigarette butts, lighting unauthorized campfires, and conducting unpermitted agricultural burns to minimize risks in the hot season.
