Wildfire Prevention and Control Campaign
In Honduras, the dry season brings months of little rain and high temperatures, making it a challenging task. APREH's work transforms into a containment and prevention mission that goes far beyond simply extinguishing flames. The strategy is not reactive, but rather an integrated active defense system that combines on-the-ground infrastructure, satellite technology, and, most crucially, the ongoing training of the personnel on the front lines. This holistic approach transforms each member into a guardian equipped not only to protect the forest, but also to safeguard their own life and the lives of their team. The fight against fire begins long before the first plume of smoke is seen; it starts with the patient and meticulous construction of firebreaks, as well as increased surveillance on high points and patrols in critical areas.
These strategic strips of land cleared of flammable vegetation act as physical barriers to slow the advance of the flames. Their width depends on the slope and the amount of fuel at both ends. While in linear distance, APREH exceeds 100 km in firebreaks in important sites such as young forests, water sources and its own plantations.
APREH understands that fighting fires in mountainous terrain is a high-risk endeavor, making the comprehensive training of each employee an ethical and operational priority. At the beginning of the year, all technical and administrative staff received thorough first aid training provided by the Honduran Green Cross, the Honduran Red Cross, and the Honduran Fire Department. This training was specific and practical, designed to address the real dangers of the forest: from the prevention and treatment of burns (the most obvious risk), to the vital protocol for snake bites (including identification of venomous species and immobilization of the affected limb), to the management of fractures, cuts, and plant poisonings.
