During the 2024 wildfire season, Honduras experienced record-breaking temperatures that disrupted water cycles and prolonged the dry season. The combined challenges of drought and extreme heat led to a crisis affecting over 294,000 hectares nationwide, including the Olancho and Francisco Morazan departments where Eden works.
The Eden Honduras team has been actively addressing wildfires for three seasons, protecting thousands of hectares of forests and newly planted land. This in turn has spared critical wildlife habitat and key water recharge zones within the watershed from burning, safeguarding the water supply for thousands of communities.
[Call to Action was present in original content]
These actions are integral to protecting our restoration projects, areas that regenerate naturally, and healthy old-growth forests. Our extensively trained foresters regularly train local fire brigades while coordinating with authorities.
In 2024 alone, we successfully extinguished over 50 fires in our restoration areas. Thanks to our team’s careful planning and strenuous efforts, most fire damage was minimal and occurred in mature forests, which are less vulnerable than new-growth areas, and are on track to recover well.
Wildfire Prevention Moving Forward
Looking ahead, Eden aims to expand its fire prevention work to cover the entire Cinturón Verde Landscape, 90,000+ ha of forests, grazing land, and agricultural areas that encompass Tegucigalpa’s three main water catchments. To do this, we will need to scale up our fire prevention funding. In 2025, our target is to raise $1.2 million, allowing us to achieve the following impact:
- Protecting 11,000+ hectares and the ecosystems they support.
- Maintaining and expanding fire break work to safeguard critical wildlife habitats and watersheds.
- Hiring additional local staff for enhanced overnight surveillance
- Purchasing and replacing new fire protection equipment and uniforms.
- Launching an awareness campaign on forest fire prevention targeted at local communities and farmers.
Together, we are making a lasting impact for people+planet. We invite you to join us in scaling our efforts in wildfire prevention and safeguarding Honduras’ vital forests and watersheds.
To achieve this, our Honduras team employs the following wildfire prevention techniques and best practices:
Establishing Fire Breaks
Our landscape restoration team has built and rehabilitated over 100 km of fire breaks in vulnerable landscapes. This is a preventative measure carried out before the fire season, clearing strips of land that crisscross the forest that act as barriers to prevent the uncontrolled spread of wildfires.
Constructing Fire Lines
We strategically clear or burn areas around the perimeter of active wildfires to prevent further expansion. These are similar to fire breaks but are constructed when fires are actively burning.
Implementing Silviculture Practices
We regularly prune millions of trees to encourage healthy, rapid growth and remove lower branches that are more prone to catching fire during low-intensity burns. Over the last three seasons, our initiatives have preserved 11,000 hectares from wildfires by promoting faster growth and reducing fire susceptibility.
Managing Wildland Fuel
By removing underbrush and other flammable materials on the forest floor, we reduce the available fuel, lowering the risk for intense fires.
Educating Local Farmers and Ranchers
We collaborate with local farmers and ranchers to educate them on effective land preparation practices that reduce wildfire risk, protecting forests and their communities.
Practicing Regular Surveillance
Our team members conduct strategic surveillance at outposts throughout the forest, sometimes 24 hours a day. By establishing this early warning system, we help our team and local authorities combat wildfires swiftly.
Supporting Team Training
Many Eden team members have attended technical universities, learned from experts, and trained with the government. We play a critical role in forest and fire management by deploying methods aligned with government guidelines.
