Local firefighters controlled a small fire that broke out early Tuesday morning in a palm grove near the Las Quintas area of Todos Santos, Baja California Sur. No injuries were reported, and no homes sustained damage.
The blaze started in the predawn hours of June 30. Crews from the Todos Santos fire department responded quickly and kept the fire from spreading beyond the palm grove. Authorities have not released a cause for the fire.
A Recurring Risk in Todos Santos Palm Groves
Palm grove fires are a familiar hazard in Todos Santos, a small coastal town about 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Cabo San Lucas. The town’s historic palm groves, which once supported a thriving sugar cane industry, sit close to residential neighborhoods and the popular downtown area.
In December 2023, two separate fires broke out in the Todos Santos palm groves within days of each other. At least one of those fires was suspected arson, according to then-mayor Milena Quiroga Romero. In October 2024, three large fires erupted in the Pescadero and Todos Santos area, drawing a multi-agency response from local firefighters, the Mexican Army, and CONAFOR (the National Forestry Commission).
Dry Season Raises Fire Concerns
Tuesday’s fire comes as Baja California Sur enters its hottest and driest stretch of the year. July and August routinely bring temperatures above 40°C (104°F) to the region, and dry vegetation increases the risk of brush and palm fires spreading rapidly.
Residents near palm groves in Todos Santos, Pescadero, and the surrounding area should clear dry brush from around their properties and report any signs of smoke immediately. The local fire department (bomberos) can be reached through the Todos Santos municipal office or by calling 911.
The incident was first reported by Noticias La Paz.