Cuba Braces for Severe Forest Fire Season in Early 2026 Amidst Drought and Infrastructure Challenges

Increased Forest Fire Risk Predicted for Early 2026

Cuban authorities are sounding the alarm over a significant increase in forest fires anticipated in the first half of 2026. The western province of Pinar del Río is identified as a particularly vulnerable region, facing a confluence of environmental and infrastructural challenges that could lead to a severe fire season. Specialists consider the period between January and May to be the highest risk for such blazes, coinciding with the country's least rainy season.

State media reports, citing experts, indicate that 'The forecasts are not good' for the upcoming period. Estimates published by the state newspaper Granma suggest that Pinar del Río alone could experience between 85 and 112 forest fires during this peak danger period, potentially affecting as much as 4,000 hectares.

Contributing Factors: Drought, Infrastructure, and Human Activity

Several critical factors are contributing to the heightened risk. A harsh and prolonged drought season, characterized by insufficient rainfall, has left large amounts of dry, combustible vegetation in forests. Additionally, the poor condition of forest roads, a component of the country's deteriorated infrastructure, hinders access for firefighting efforts.

Human activity remains the predominant cause of forest fires in Cuba, accounting for an estimated 90 to 95 percent of incidents. These often stem from:

• Burning for agricultural or other purposes without adequate safety measures.
• Irresponsible disposal of cigarettes by smokers and passers-by.
• Vehicles with technical defects, such as faulty exhaust systems lacking spark arresters.
• Activities by fishermen, poachers, and illegal beehive castrators.

The Cuban Forest Ranger Corps (CGB) has consistently highlighted negligence and indiscipline as primary drivers of these incidents.

Regional Impact and Preventative Measures

While Pinar del Río, with its extensive forest coverage of over 411,000 hectares, is particularly susceptible, other provinces like Holguín, Artemisa, and Camagüey have also faced significant fire challenges in recent years. In 2025, Pinar del Río recorded approximately 100 fires, with 13 classified as large or very large, impacting over 9,000 hectares. Municipalities within Pinar del Río, such as San Juan y Martínez, Mantua, and Minas de Matahambre, have been recurrently affected.

The CGB, led by figures such as Rubén Guerra Corrales, head of Fire Management, and Colonel Manuel Lama Gómez, head of the Corps, employs satellite monitoring systems and observation towers to detect fires. Cuba implements an annual Forest Fire Protection Campaign from January to May 31, focusing on prevention, awareness, and eliminating conditions favorable to fires. This campaign involves organizational actions, training, and communication exercises with various state organizations and the public. However, the country's ongoing economic crisis, including fuel shortages and limited access to equipment, strains response capabilities.

Outlook and Call for Vigilance

The anticipated increase in forest fires adds further strain to a nation already grappling with economic difficulties and environmental stress. Experts emphasize that climate variability, including changes in wind patterns and uneven droughts, contributes to fires becoming 'longer lasting and more intense'. Authorities continue to urge the population to exercise extreme caution and adhere to preventative guidelines to mitigate the risk of these devastating events.