A report of the Permanent Contingency Commission (COPECO) and the Institute of Forest Conservation (ICF) states that in the summer last year, 259 forest fires occurred in Olancho alone, destroying 11,836 hectares of forest, predominantly pine.

The Departments most affected by fire include Gracias a Dios, where 9,015 hectares were burned; in El Paraíso, with 5,309 hectares burned; Francisco Morazán suffered the loss of 3,650 hectares; and in Ocotepeque flames engulfed 60 hectares.

To prevent deforestation this year, COPECO and the ICF have begun a campaign that will build on the Plan of Action of the National Forest Protection Council. Actions include educating the public on the socioeconomic importance of forests as one of the main resources for development in the country.

ICF and COPECO seek to coordinate actions with the Community Forest Advisory Councils and Local Emergency Committees (CODEL) to strengthen the emergency management and combating of forest fires.

The document outlines that in 62 percent of the cases last year, the fires were started by arsonists.