The state is experiencing a drought situation that affects 90% of its territory according to the Drought Monitor of the National Water Commission (Conagua).
This situation is aggravated by the recent conclusion of a hurricane season without significant rainfall, which increases water vulnerability and the risk of forest fires in the region.
The La Niña phenomenon, which is characterized by a cooling of the waters of the equatorial Pacific, has kept the northwest of the country under conditions of water stress for four consecutive years. This situation has reduced rainfall and limited the recharge of aquifers.
The hurricane season officially ended on November 30, the lack of rain leaves the state with limited water resources. According to the Institute for Research in Ecosystems and Sustainability (IIES) drought conditions will persist until April or May 2025, largely due to the new phase of La Niña that is already affecting the country.
The relationship between drought and fire risk is evident. The lack of water and the increase in combustible material, such as dry bushes and palm trees, increase the probability of fires in regions such as Todos Santos and the San José del Cabo estuary. Since 2020, at least 29 fires have been recorded in the Todos Santos district, affecting more than 100 hectares of vegetation, according to data from the National Forestry Commission (Conafor).
Francisco Javier Salgado Agúndez, delegate of the Magical Town of Todos Santos, stressed that the fires are not isolated events and that multiple factors aggravate the problem. These include the growth of human settlements, the lack of adequate access to fight the fire, and short circuits in electrical wiring. “On windy days, the friction of cables with palm trees can generate sparks and trigger fires,” Salgado explained.
The role of La Niña in the current situation
The persistence of the La Niña phenomenon has generated drier winters than usual in northwestern Mexico, reducing the rainfall needed to recharge aquifers and moisten the soil. According to the Institute for Research in Ecosystems and Sustainability, the lack of rain for almost five years in some regions has intensified drought conditions.
Authorities have stressed the importance of maintaining preventive measures both to deal with drought and to minimize the risk of fires. Héctor Amparano Herrera, state undersecretary of Civil Protection, stressed the need to strengthen community surveillance and prevention programs, especially in light of the arrival of cold fronts and strong winds that could favor the spread of fires.
Recommendations for the population include responsible use of water, reforestation to improve water catchment, and collaboration with authorities to open access to land that facilitates intervention in cases of fire.
Citizens are also invited to stay informed through official bulletins from the National Meteorological Service (SMN) and to follow the instructions of Civil Protection.
Source: elsudcaliforniano
