Rob Trujillo, Wildfire Responder/Organizer
"The ones that were close to Benque on the Arenal Road they have been contained. We had last night one that was coming from behind Succotz towards Benque and that also has been contained and from what we understand it's raining behind Succotz right now. So, the ones that have not been contained in full, but are being monitored are the ones that are by the water hole camp 6 area, which is towards Vaca falls."

Jules Vasquez
"With the rains and with the ongoing effort by so many parties, the town's people, environmental organizations, the forestry department as well - are you thinking that right now the worst is behind us with this batch of fires?"

Rob Trujillo, Wildfire Responder/Organizer
"Well, we are hoping that is so and I believe that yes if we get more rain the worse should be over."

Jules Vasquez
"But how much of this was caused by natural wildfires in terms of natural sources of ignition or accidental sources of ignition and how much of it was caused by milpa clearing and that sort of thing which we know also happens at this time of year?"

Rob Trujillo, Wildfire Responder/Organizer
"Well we believe that most of it, if not all of it that has been affecting us here was caused by the milpa system and from collecting information and talking to the farmers around camp 6, they are claiming that it was a gentleman who is not a Belizean who basically cut down not even 2 acres of milpa, the guy waited until night and light it and then left the country."

Jules Vasquez
"Would you speak also Rob, about the response of the community in Benque Viejo. It's been really extraordinary. Would you speak about that?"

Rob Trujillo, Wildfire Responder/Organizer
"Yes, it's been really, really good. The guys are out there, we have some ladies that have join also and then we have the community offering food for the volunteers and everybody has come together. It is just amazing what can be done when everybody comes together."