Twin Mangrove Fires Force Evacuation of Coastal Eco‑Lodge

On the morning of 15 August, fire crews received two separate alerts of smoke rising from the mangrove fringe of Almar Bay, a protected zone just north of Puerto Azul. Satellite imagery from the Costa Mar Reef Monitoring Network confirmed that the flames were already licking the lower trunks, fed by a dry spell that has persisted since the start of the rainy season’s lull in May.

The Alborada Eco‑Lodge, a family‑run operation that hosts over 300 eco‑tourists each month, was ordered to evacuate all guests and staff. The lodge’s manager, Maria Delgado, said the evacuation was completed within three hours, but the disruption has already caused a 12 % drop in off‑season occupancy for the week.

Governor Solomon Adeyemi deployed three fire‑fighting helicopters from the Federal Hydro Authority and coordinated with the Marine Ministry’s emergency unit. Officials say the fire‑line is being contained, but a full assessment will require on‑site inspections, which are detailed in the continuation below.