A massive wildfire is currently wreaking havoc in the Ojito de Agua area of Alejandro de Humboldt National Park, located in the municipality of Yateras, Guantánamo, as reported this Wednesday.
The blaze has consumed roughly 200 hectares of forest within this protected region and remains uncontrolled as of this morning. This has raised concerns among local authorities and residents, as shared by journalist Miguel Reyes on social media.
Efforts to extinguish the fire involve personnel from the Forest Ranger Corps, the Yateras Red Cross, the Ministry of the Interior, and other organizations. These operations are described as "extremely challenging" by Reyes, as they strive to halt the fire's progress and safeguard an area renowned for its extraordinary biodiversity.
Members of the firefighting team have traversed 16 kilometers of affected terrain, with much of the vegetation left in ruins.
Reyes highlighted that investigations are underway to determine whether human activity, possibly linked to illegal gold mining, might have sparked the blaze. However, no official confirmation has been provided regarding the fire's origin.
This theory is rooted in past incidents: In September 2025, the Yateras Municipal People's Court sentenced five individuals to prison terms ranging from one year and six months to two years and seven months for illegal gold extraction in the Piedra la Vela area, along the banks of the Toa River within the park.
Illegal mining has surged in eastern Cuba over the past decade, with estimates suggesting that up to 20,000 individuals are prospecting for gold in this region.
Alejandro de Humboldt National Park, designated a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site in 2001, stands as one of the most biologically diverse tropical island sites worldwide. It spans 70,680 hectares across the provinces of Holguín and Guantánamo and is home to over 1,500 plant species, over 905 of which are endemic to Cuba.
This is not the first time that fire has posed a threat to this ecosystem. In April and May 2021, the park endured the largest wildfire in its history, destroying between 1,823 and 1,896 hectares, including areas in Ojito de Agua. A smaller-scale fire also occurred in January 2024 in the Tres Fiebres and Alto de Cruzata localities within the park.
The current incident comes amid an active wildfire season in Cuba. From January to April of this year, 111 wildfires were recorded across the country, damaging 3,174 hectares. Until now, Guantánamo had not reported any wildfires during this period, making the fire in Humboldt Park the first documented in the province for 2026.
Key Questions about the Fire in Alejandro de Humboldt National Park
What areas of Alejandro de Humboldt National Park are affected by the fire?
The wildfire is affecting the Ojito de Agua area within the park, consuming approximately 200 hectares of forest.
Who is involved in fighting the wildfire?
Personnel from the Forest Ranger Corps, the Yateras Red Cross, the Ministry of the Interior, and other agencies are actively working to control the fire.
What is the suspected cause of the fire?
Investigations are considering human activity as a potential cause, particularly illegal gold mining, though no official confirmation has been made.