Anteater Flees Forest Fire: Costa Rica Has Already Recorded 100 Fires So Far In 2026

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An anteater fleeing a wildfire in Liberia once again brought into sharp focus the impact this emergency is having on wildlife in Costa Rica.

The video, shared by the Fire Department, comes amid a critical season that has already seen 100 wildfires-a 330% increase compared to 2025.

According to the Fire Department, as of March 17, the country has recorded more than 10,000 hectares affected, while 12 fires are active in Guanacaste.

Guanacaste

“We have approximately more than 10,000 hectares affected, of which more than 95% are in Guanacaste alone,” said Jordan Trigueros of the Fire Department.

“The situation concerns us greatly because we have about a month and a half left in the season, and these are precisely the weeks when we historically respond to the most emergencies,” he warned.

Wildlife flees the fire

In addition to severe damage to vegetation cover, the fires are taking a heavy toll on wildlife, flora, and air quality.

The impact on watersheds reduces the ability of aquifers to recharge, which affects water availability in communities.

Firefighters noted that scenes like the one involving that anteater are not isolated incidents. According to Trigueros, when crews enter burning areas, they often encounter animals fleeing the flames.

“We usually come across animals like turtles, snakes, some deer, and others that are fleeing the fire,” he explained.

In this case, he added, the anteater appeared disoriented as it tried to escape the affected area.

“Animals cannot defend themselves against fire, but we can help them,” the agency stated.

A Busy Season

The trend in 2026 shows a significant increase compared to recent years. By this same date in 2024, there had been 58 wildfires, and in 2025, just 23. Now, the number has reached 100.

This data carries even more weight when considering that 2024 ended as the year with the most forest fires in the last decade, with 141 cases. In contrast, 2025 ended with 67.

Regarding active fires, the agency explained that difficult access and the vastness of the terrain complicate firefighting efforts.

“Due to access issues, routes, and other factors, it can sometimes take us three to five days-or even longer-to bring a fire under control,” noted Trigueros.

This year, the most affected cantons are: Abangares, Bagaces, Nicoya, Santa Cruz, Carrillo, Liberia, and the Paquera area.

“The Fire Department maintains an active strategic camp with 50 people in Huacas to deploy crews to the various response sites,” the firefighter noted.

Prevention

The fire department is issuing an urgent call to the public to avoid any type of burning and not to throw away objects that could cause a fire.

Meanwhile, the origin of most fires is not due to natural causes.

“In Costa Rica, it's not like in other countries where lightning strikes and causes a fire; it's people who start them,” noted the

The main causes are the burning of trash and dry leaves, as well as agricultural practices that get out of control. Illegal hunting is another factor.

The post Anteater Flees Forest Fire: Costa Rica Has Already Recorded 100 Fires So Far in 2026 appeared first on The Costa Rica News.

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