Firefighters have contained a massive wildfire that scorched more than 4,000 hectares (9,900 acres) of wetland habitat in Palo Verde National Park in Guanacaste Province, the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) informed.

The blaze, which began May 28, burned through portions of the protected area before crews were able to bring it under control. According to MINAE, firefighters worked around the clock to prevent the fire from spreading into additional sections of the park.

Although the wildfire has been extinguished, emergency operations are continuing. Fire crews remain in the area inspecting the burn zone and monitoring for hotspots to ensure the fire does not reignite.

Palo Verde National Park, located in Guanacaste Province, is part of the Arenal Tempisque Conservation Area, which encompasses much of the Tempisque River Valley and covers nearly 18,500 hectares (45,000 acres).

The park contains a diverse mix of mangroves, forests and grasslands, providing habitat for a wide range of wildlife, including birds, reptiles, iguanas, snakes, turtles, crocodiles, white-faced capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, deer, armadillos, peccaries and wildcats.

Officials said the fire originated in wetlands in an area known as Catalina and spread rapidly through the vegetation. Preliminary findings suggest the blaze may have been triggered by a lightning strike that ignited a large concentration of cattails, or Typha species, which are abundant throughout the interior of the wetland.

Although cattails grow in wet environments, experts say the plants can become highly flammable under certain conditions.

Authorities fear the wildfire caused significant wildlife losses. Birds, iguanas, snakes, turtles, coatis, armadillos and crocodiles are among the animals believed to have perished in the flames. Larger mammals, including foxes, monkeys, deer and wildcats, may also have been affected.

Environmental experts are preparing a report to determine the extent of wildlife mortality and the number of animals found dead or injured within the burn area.

The response effort involved extensive manpower and heavy equipment. Authorities deployed agricultural tractors supplied by local companies and the Municipality of Bagaces, along with backhoes used to move soil and help extinguish flames. Aerial lift platforms were also used to combat fires that reached the upper sections of trees.

Approximately 100 people participated in the operation, including firefighters, park rangers, Red Cross personnel and volunteers.

Park rangers noted that while preliminary evidence indicates this fire may have been caused by natural factors, most wildfires in Costa Rica are linked to human activity. Many begin when people build campfires in unauthorized areas, allowing flames to spread rapidly and burn hundreds of hectares within hours.

Authorities are urging the public to report anyone suspected of lighting campfires or burning vegetation in protected areas by calling 911 or the country's forest fire hotline at 2666-5051.

The Palo Verde wildfire is one of several major forest fires reported in Costa Rica this year. In April, firefighters battled simultaneous wildfires in Santa Rosa National Park and the Junquillal Bay National Wildlife Refuge, both also located in Guanacaste Province.

MINAE is the government agency responsible for environmental protection, natural resource management and the promotion of sustainable energy use in Costa Rica.

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