Panama's Minister of the Environment, Juan Carlos Navarro, emphasized that the growing threat of forest fires requires decisive action in prevention and close collaboration between institutions and citizens. The National Commission for the Prevention, Control, and Comprehensive Management of Fire (COMPRECMAIF) is fully preparing to handle vegetation and forest fire emergencies during the 2026 dry season. This commission, composed of the Ministry of the Environment (MiAMBIENTE), the Honorable Fire Corps of Panama, the National System of Civil Protection (SINAPROC), the National Police, and the Panamanian Red Cross, met to strengthen its prevention, response, and control strategies. The meeting aimed to review the main risk scenarios and consolidate joint actions to improve the comprehensive operational capacity at the national level in the face of extreme weather events such as high temperatures, droughts, heatwaves, floods, and fires. According to authorities, these phenomena are becoming increasingly difficult to manage and pose a risk to both the environment and community safety. Additionally, a mitigation strategy is being implemented to reduce the frequency and intensity of forest fires. Minister of the Environment Juan Carlos Navarro reiterated the government's commitment to protecting natural resources and the safety of the population. Carlos Espinosa, National Forestry Director of MiAMBIENTE, presented the advances in prevention, highlighting the technical efforts focused on identifying critical areas, training communities, and promoting responsible practices in the use of fire. "Protecting our forests and our people requires responsibility, preparation, and joint work," stated the minister. During the 2024-2025 dry season, Panama registered a total of 1,873 fires that affected more than 7,161 hectares, mainly in the provinces of Panama, West Panama, Veraguas, and Los Santos. In light of this situation, authorities have stressed the importance of responsible fire management, as irresponsible practices can devastate ecosystems, affect public health, and worsen the impacts of climate change.
