A forest fire at Rancho El Alacrán near the Sierra de Juárez has burned roughly 40 hectares (about 99 acres) of conifer forest since igniting on June 29. As of July 1, crews had achieved only 20 percent containment and 10 percent liquidation, according to Ensenada Fire Chief Julio César Cota Molina.
The blaze is located in the mountains east of Ensenada, a region popular with hikers, off-roaders, and weekend campers from both sides of the border. No injuries, deaths, or structural damage have been reported so far.
Crews Battle Blaze With Limited Resources
A combined force of 34 people is working to contain the fire. That includes nine personnel from Ensenada’s forestry division, five brigade members from CONAFOR (Mexico’s National Forestry Commission), and 20 volunteers. The rugged terrain of the Sierra de Juárez, which rises to over 1,800 meters (5,900 feet), makes access and suppression difficult.
Ensenada’s fire department said it is maintaining both active firefighting and surveillance operations at the site. The low containment figure, just one-fifth of the fire’s perimeter, means the blaze could still grow if conditions worsen.
Fire Season Concerns in Baja California
The Sierra de Juárez is no stranger to wildfire. In late January 2025, Santa Ana winds fueled a massive blaze in the El Escondido area near Ensenada that burned nearly 11,000 hectares (27,000 acres) in just a few days. That fire drew national attention and prompted NASA satellite monitoring.
Dry summer conditions across Baja California’s interior mountains increase fire risk significantly from June through October. Authorities are urging the public to avoid campfires, agricultural burns, discarding cigarette butts, and leaving glass bottles in natural areas. Glass can focus sunlight and ignite dry vegetation.
What Travelers Should Know
Anyone spotting a new fire outbreak in the region should call 911 immediately. Travelers heading toward the Sierra de Juárez, Laguna Hanson, or the Constitución de 1857 National Park should check conditions before departing. Smoke and road closures can change rapidly in fire zones.
The fire’s cause has not been officially determined. Authorities continue to monitor the situation.
Source: La Jornada Baja California