La Paz firefighters responded to roughly 25 fires across the city and its northern zone during the Easter weekend, with 15 of those emergencies reported on Sunday alone. Fire Commander Juan Jesús Ruiz Redona said crews worked nearly 11 continuous hours battling blazes in neighborhoods including Agua Escondida, Bellavista, Chametla, and Centenario.
Authorities have identified two suspected arsonists believed to be active in different sectors of the city. The suspects have not yet been located, and investigations are ongoing.
Fires Hit Homes, Stores, and Open Land
The fires involved a wide range of targets: burning tires, grasslands, a hardware store, a shoe store, and at least one residential structure. Firefighters rescued two dogs during the operations. No human injuries were reported.
Ruiz Redona called the situation alarming, noting that the formal wildfire season in Baja California Sur has not yet begun. The volume of fires over a single holiday weekend, combined with the identification of suspected arsonists, has raised concerns about deliberate fire-setting in multiple parts of the capital.
Military and Federal Forces Deployed
The firefighting effort was not handled by municipal crews alone. Municipal, state, and federal forces coordinated during the Holy Week operation. The National Guard, the Mexican Navy (SEMAR), and the Army all supported the response alongside local firefighters.
La Paz, the capital of Baja California Sur, typically sees its most dangerous fire conditions later in the year as temperatures climb and vegetation dries out. The early spike in fires during the relatively mild spring season made this weekend’s surge especially unusual.
Residents Urged to Report Suspicious Activity
Commander Ruiz Redona urged La Paz residents to report any suspicious activity to authorities as investigators work to locate the two identified suspects. The suspects are described as operating in separate areas of the city, though authorities have not released further details about their identities.
For residents and visitors in La Paz, the fire department’s emergency line and the 911 system remain the primary ways to report fires or suspicious behavior. The commander emphasized that early reports from neighbors can make a critical difference in preventing fires from spreading.
This story was first reported by BCS Noticias.