A fire tore through roughly 40 hectares (about 99 acres) of the San José del Cabo Estuary on Wednesday, destroying palm trees and native vegetation in the Palmar de Santa Rosa area before crews contained it late that night.
The blaze broke out around 4:00 p.m. and took more than six hours to bring under control. About 40 firefighters from the Los Cabos Fire Department led the response, with support from private water tankers, the municipal water authority, Municipal Police, the Mexican Navy, the Army, and Civil Protection.
No injuries were reported. No homes were damaged. But authorities described the ecological toll as severe.
A Protected Area Hit Hard, Again
The San José del Cabo Estuary has been classified as a Natural Protected Area since 1994. Located a short walk from downtown San José del Cabo, the estuary is home to over 200 species of birds and serves as a critical habitat where freshwater meets the Sea of Cortez. It is one of the most ecologically significant natural areas in the Los Cabos municipality.
This is not the first time fire has struck the estuary. In January 2024, a blaze burned 11.8 hectares of the same protected zone. Wednesday’s fire was more than three times that size, covering an estimated 40 hectares of palm groves and native vegetation.
Cooling Operations Continue
Authorities said cooling and mitigation work would continue in the affected area to prevent the fire from reigniting. Environmental assessment and recovery efforts are expected to follow in the coming days.
The cause of the fire has not been publicly confirmed. During the January 2024 fire, investigators opened a probe into possible arson. Witnesses at the time reported seeing flames spread rapidly through dry palm trees, with ash carried by the wind over nearby residential areas and the town cemetery.
Vehicles have been prohibited from entering the estuary since it received its protected designation. Visitors are asked to keep dogs on leashes and follow posted guidelines to avoid further damage to the ecosystem.
The fire and its aftermath were first reported by Colectivo Pericú.