The 2018 wildfires season has been the worse in Costa Rica in the past three years.

According to the National System of Areas of Conservation (SINAC) a total of 47 wildfires have been recorded from January 1st through April 17 while in this same lapse in 2017 there were 33 forest fires, 36 in 2016 and in 2015 a total of 34.

As it is common 67% of these fires affected areas in the North Pacific while 29% took place in the Central Pacific region.

Vandalism and illegal hunting continue to be the main causes of these wildfires, other causes include intentional acts of arson and slash-and-burn agricultural practices. Authorities are in alert as the season is still active through the rest of April and May.

Today, another wildfire affected the North Pacific, in this case the Palo Verde National Park located in Bagaces, Guanacaste.

According to Luis Diego Roman, Coordinator of the National Program of Fire Management of SINAC, the strong wind and the fact that it is an area that can’t be accessed by vehicles has complicated the total control of the event.

Through April 20 the number of wildfires increased to 51.

Firefighters and the environmental authorities ask the population to avoid the use of fire even in urban areas, burning of garbage or grass many times end up causing uncontrolled fires that affect close-by properties and endanger wildlife and human lives.

Wildland fires have a huge environmental cost, and their attention also comes with a large price tag.

Earlier this year the government invested in the purchase if 15 “rapid intervention” Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles to help in a more efficient attention of wildfires.