Fortis Belize Hails Employees for Wildfire Containment Efforts

Fortis Belize Limited (FBL) is hailing its employees for their heroic efforts in containing a wildfire that threatened critical infrastructure in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. Over the span of six days, FBL employees, in coordination with the Belize Forest Department, Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD), and numerous private entities and volunteers, battled tirelessly to halt the spread of the blazes. The wildfires posed a significant risk to the Chalillo Hydroelectric Dam Facility and the associated power transmission system. To combat the inferno, FBL enlisted the support of various partners, including Astrum Helicopters, whose aerial firefighting operations proved instrumental. Over four days, Astrum’s team dropped 235 buckets of water, spending more than 13 hours to extinguish hot spots and contain the fire’s advance. Kay Menzies, President and CEO of Fortis Belize, lauded the collective effort, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the vital importance of safety measures. As of Friday, May 24, approximately 34,162 acres, or about 31% of the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, had been consumed by the fire, with authorities anticipating further expansion. However, thanks to the efforts of FBL, its partners, and volunteers, a potentially catastrophic outcome was averted, underscoring the power of teamwork and collaboration in times of crisis.