On Thursday, the Forest Rangers announced that the forest fire raging since June 27 in the Alejandro de Humboldt National Park, located in Yateras, Guantánamo, has been contained.
The blaze, which began in the Ojito de Agua region, scorched nearly 600 hectares, primarily affecting scrubland and close to a hundred hectares of forest, according to Dr. Jesús Martín Pérez, a representative of CITMA in Guantánamo.
Earlier reports on July 1 labeled the extinguishing conditions as "very complex," with about 200 hectares initially reported as damaged. However, the area affected nearly tripled before efforts successfully halted the fire's spread.
Strategies and Efforts in Fire Containment
The fire split into three main fronts. Crews employed firebreaks and backburning techniques to remove combustible material and halt the flames' progression.
The Jaguaní River, situated roughly a kilometer from the active perimeter, played a crucial role in controlling the fire, as noted by Martín Pérez.
The containment operation involved a joint effort from the Forest Rangers of Guantánamo and Holguín, the Ministry of the Interior, the Revolutionary Armed Forces, protected area workers, Civil Defense, and Yateras municipal authorities. Teams traversed 16 kilometers of affected terrain, where significant vegetation was destroyed.
Investigation and Wider Context
Investigations into the fire's origin continue. Authorities cite high temperatures, thunderstorms, and ongoing illegal activities, notably clandestine gold mining, as contributing factors in the region. This illegal mining has surged in eastern Cuba over the past decade, with estimates of up to 20,000 individuals searching for gold.
This backdrop draws attention to a major fire in April-May 2021 in the same Ojito de Agua area, which destroyed between 1,823 and 1,896 hectares and was officially attributed to illicit mining. 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 within the park.
Significance of Alejandro de Humboldt National Park
The Alejandro de Humboldt National Park, designated a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 2001, spans 70,680 hectares across Holguín and Guantánamo. It hosts over 1,500 plant species, with more than 905 endemic to Cuba.
This incident marks the first recorded in Guantánamo province for 2026, during a national season already tallying 111 forest fires and 3,174 hectares damaged from January to April. These figures are notably lower than the 290 fires and 9,456 hectares affected during the same period in 2025.
Key Details on the Forest Fire in Alejandro de Humboldt National Park
What was the cause of the fire in Alejandro de Humboldt National Park?
The fire's origin is under investigation, but high temperatures, thunderstorms, and illegal activities like clandestine gold mining are suspected factors.
How many hectares were affected by the fire?
The fire affected approximately 600 hectares, including scrubland and forest areas.
Who were involved in the firefighting efforts?
The effort involved Forest Rangers from Guantánamo and Holguín, the Ministry of the Interior, the Revolutionary Armed Forces, protected area workers, Civil Defense, and local authorities.