Fire Burns Hundreds of Acres Near Guadalajara EFE
go to original April 23, 2012

The fire has consumed pastures, dead leaves, bushes and trees in six sections of the forest. (EFE)

GUADALAJARA, Mexico - A fire in the protected area of the La Primavera forest in Guadalajara, the capital of the western Mexican state of Jalisco, has burned at least 500 hectares (about 774 acres), the National Forestry Commission, or Conafor, said.

The fire, which started on Saturday morning, has consumed pastures, dead leaves, bushes and trees in six sections of the forest, Conafor said.

More than 250 firefighters and volunteers are working to put out the fire, using four trucks with pumps, nine tanker trucks, a helicopter equipped to drop water and chemicals on fires, and a second helicopter being used for reconnaissance flights.

The light rain Sunday in Guadalajara helped control the fire, but firefighters will continue working to put out the blaze, Conafor said.

The fire was started by people burning trash illegally in Arenales Tapatios, an area near the forest, and strong winds helped the flames spread into the protected area, Conafor said in a statement.

Firefighting teams brought the fire partially under control on Saturday night, but the blaze spread due to "whirlwinds of fire caused by the gusts of wind," Conafor said.

La Primavera, located in Zapopan, is considered "the lungs" of the Guadalajara metropolitan area because it is the only nature reserve near the large city.

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