Wildfires in Oaxaca: April burns with flames and aerial operations
- Udelí Morales Romero
- May 6
- 4 min read
OAX–. April was a critical month for Oaxaca’s forests. Multiple wildfires broke out across various regions of the state, testing the response capabilities of official, community-based, and government firefighting brigades, both on the ground and in the air. This report compiles the main incidents addressed throughout the month, offering a detailed timeline of dates, affected zones, and implemented strategies.
From the mountainous highlands to areas closer to the state capital, “La Chata,” a specialized firefighting helicopter contracted by the government through the National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR), played a key role in multiple aerial water drop operations, leaving its mark in every location where the flames threatened to spiral out of control.
Wildfires in Oaxaca during April
March 23 | Fire crosses the hills between Donají and San Felipe del Agua
On the eve of April, a wildfire set off alarms along the borders of the Donají and San Felipe del Agua districts in Oaxaca de Juárez. The flames moved quickly through elevated areas where dry vegetation and strong winds created ideal conditions for disaster.
The response was swift. Ground efforts were led by the State Forestry Commission (Coesfo), community members, volunteers, and the military. From above, a state-operated aircraft performed direct water drops, marking the beginning of a critical wildfire season in Oaxaca.
The urgency to contain the fire led to a hybrid strategy: ground brigades accessed the area through forest trails, while aerial attacks were deployed in hard-to-reach areas, a tactic that would be repeated throughout the month.
April 9 | Sierra Sur: Fire spreads between San Vicente Coatlán and Santiago Yogana
In the second week of April, another active fire front was reported in the Sierra Sur, between San Vicente Coatlán and Santiago Yogana. State brigades and local community members battled rugged terrain as dense vegetation fueled the flames.
Helicopter support proved essential for tackling the most critical hotspots. Technical teams coordinated from the ground while aerial crews executed targeted water drops based on reconnaissance flights.
April 12 | Fire nears Tomaltepec and Santa Catalina de Siena
Three days later, the wildfire edged dangerously close to more populated areas. Flames in Santo Domingo Tomaltepec advanced toward Santa Catalina de Siena, prompting an urgent mobilization.
The State Government carried out 33 aerial drops using a helicopter equipped with a 1,200-liter helibucket. Simultaneously, Coesfo brigades and local residents worked to build firebreaks. Smoke columns visible from the capital city raised alarms about the intensity of this season’s wildfires.
April 15 | San Felipe Zapotitlán: Another front brought under control
In Villa Sola de Vega, the community of San Felipe Zapotitlán faced its own emergency as a new wildfire broke out in its forests. This triggered the deployment of state brigades, community members, and aerial personnel transport.
Though the blaze was quickly contained, the trend was clear: the frequency and intensity of wildfires were rising, demanding constant vigilance across all forested regions.
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April 22 | Ozolotepec: Over 250 drops to contain an intermunicipal front
The most complex operation of the month took place in the Sierra Sur, between San Juan Ozolotepec, Santo Domingo Ozolotepec, and San Pedro Mixtepec. Here, the wildfire spread across three municipalities, in steep, hard-to-access terrain.
A total of 251 aerial water drops were carried out, amounting to over 461,000 liters released from the sky. Efforts were focused on areas like El Balcón, El Mogote, and Cerro Escuadra, where ground crews couldn’t reach easily. By this point in the month, the combination of ground and air strategies had proven crucial in preventing larger catastrophes.
April 28 | Juquila and Quiahije: Fire spreads across Sierra Sur
At the end of April, the flames surged again. In Santa Catarina Juquila, a new fire front extended toward San Juan Quiahije. From the early hours, ground brigades were mobilized while others were flown directly to the hotspot.
That same day, another fire emerged between Juquila and Santiago Minas, forcing authorities to divide resources and prioritize containment where the flames posed the greatest threat.
April 30 | Full containment in San Francisco Ixpantepec
On the final day of the month, Coesfo reported full containment of a wildfire in San Francisco Ixpantepec, which had originated as a spread from the Quiahije fire. Through a joint operation between ground brigades and aerial units, the fire was extinguished using backburning and firebreak construction.
This marked the eighth major wildfire event addressed in April, a month that solidified aerial support as an essential component in Oaxaca’s wildfire response strategy.
Specialized Aerial Support from the Federal Front
As part of this firefighting strategy, Tofly7 is also a national ally through its Aerial Support Service for Federal Wildfire Combat. This specialized company provides aircraft designed specifically for wildfire suppression missions and is contracted by entities such as:
CONAFOR (National Forestry Commission)
Civil Protection Agencies
Other Federal Government Institutions
Based in Toluca but operating nationwide, Tofly7 offers flexible deployment models tailored to the duration and conditions of each mission. While their focus is on government support, they can also assist companies or private entities in specific cases, always ensuring a safe, efficient service dedicated to protecting natural resources.
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