Mexico Battles Wildfire Incident in Sonora Amidst Ongoing Forest Cover Challenges

Mexico Battles Wildfire Incident in Sonora Amidst Ongoing Forest Cover Challenges

Mexico faced a new wildfire incident on September 18, 2024, in the region of Sonora, adding to the country's existing environmental challenges. Over the past two decades, Mexico has experienced significant tree cover loss, primarily due to shifting agriculture, which accounted for approximately 65% of the total loss. Forestry activities and wildfires have also contributed to the decline, with urbanization being the least impactful driver. The cumulative loss of tree cover has led to a net negative change, with a 1.25% decrease in tree cover, despite some gains in reforestation efforts. The country's vast area of over 195 million hectares, with approximately 53 million hectares of tree cover, has been under consistent threat, highlighting the need for sustainable land management practices to curb further environmental degradation.