The San José del Cabo Fire Department is now conducting permanent surveillance patrols inside the Estero de San José del Cabo, the largest freshwater body in Baja California Sur, to prevent fires and protect the federally designated wetland reserve.
Fire Commander Omar Barreras Núñez said the year-round patrol program is now in its second year. It operates under a multi-agency committee and has significantly reduced fire incidents at the estuary, which sits just a short walk from downtown San José del Cabo.
Human Activity Behind Nearly All Fires
According to Barreras Núñez, fires in the estuary are almost entirely caused by human activity. Patrol crews monitor for campfires, open waste burning, illegal dumping, and unauthorized extraction of natural resources. The goal is to catch dangerous behavior before it leads to a blaze.
The estuary has a recent history of damaging fires. In January 2024, a large fire spread rapidly through the wetland, burning several acres of palm forest and sending ash over nearby residential neighborhoods and the local cemetery. Multiple fire departments responded to that incident, which was later linked to arson. Following that fire, Los Cabos authorities installed access gaps in the estuary to serve as firebreaks, though officials noted the fast-growing vegetation requires constant maintenance.
Five-Year Protection Plan in the Works
The patrol program is part of a broader push to protect the estuary. In October 2025, Los Cabos approved a five-year management plan for the site, targeting contamination, invasive plant species, water recovery, and wildfire risk. The estuary holds designation as a Ramsar site, an international classification for wetlands of global importance, and has been a Natural Protected Area since 1994.
The wetland is home to over 200 bird species and serves as a critical stopover on Pacific flyway migration routes. Vehicles have long been prohibited inside the reserve.
Authorities Ask Residents to Report, Not Intervene
Officials are asking residents who spot suspicious activity inside the estuary, including unauthorized campfires, dumping, or people removing plants or animals, to report it to authorities rather than intervene themselves. The fire department emphasized that early reports from the public help crews respond before small incidents escalate.
The permanent patrol program and the multi-agency committee overseeing it were announced by the Los Cabos municipal government via its official website, loscabos.gob.mx.