May, 2024 - Channel 5 Belize

Chalillo Dam Still at Risk After Fires Extinguished

Last week, the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve was saved from a potentially devastating fire, as flames spread across the area rapidly. This prompted a collaborative effort between the Belize Forest Department and several stakeholders. Fortis Belize was among the first to lend a hand, as the Chalillo Dam is in the area. The team was able to extinguish the flames before the fires could damage the dam. However, Fortis Belize says that the dam is still not completely in the clear, as the machinery is at risk of being damaged by the soot and ash that will run into the water when it rains. And as the dam’s water supply is relatively low for the demand of the country, amidst the energy crisis, Fortis is in desperate need of rain. We spoke with the team from Fortis Belize to hear how it will handle this damned if you do, damned if you don’t situation. Here’s News Fives Britney Gordon with that report.

Britney Gordon, reporting

The fires in Mountain Pine Ridge started just over a week ago in an area east of the Chalillo Dam. C.E.O. of Fortis Belize, Kay Menzies, says that the company knew how important it was to assist in the relief mission.

Kay Menzies, C.E.O., Fortis Belize

“We had a combination of employees and adult family members, volunteers. And we also contracted a number of companies with heavy equipment, including Astrum helicopters and pulled together an action plan in record time for sure which enabled the team on the ground to accomplish basically to protect the BEL transmission line and protect the Chalillo plant with the consciousness, not only of the damage to the Mountain Pine Ridge itself, but what that would have done to the country of Belize if access to those facilities were lost. The team was extremely conscious of what needed to be protected and why it needed to be protected.”

Fortis Belize says that although the fires have been contained, it is still monitoring the situation closely, as there are two major assets at risk in the area. Albert Roches, Environment Manager, Fortis Belize explained that the water supply is also a concern.

Albert Roches, Manager, Fortis Belize

“We had the two major assets that we were looking at were the dam structure, the fire coming close to that area, and our powerhouse. And as well the high-tension power lines that trans transport the electric electricity through to the grid. But like Kay mentioned, it’s not over yet. We’re still in the dry. We’re still vigilant right now. We have a camera, a three-sixty, what you call a P.T.Z. camera, located on top of one of our towers. And so with that, we continually have our control room operators. Monitoring the area, scanning the area to see if there is any new smoke or fire outbreaks in the area, of concern to us now would be the rains that we that should be coming, so we’re just going to be waiting and see what the impact will be with if we get heavy rains, the washing off sediments into the reservoir. And of course, in the longer run that will also impact our water quality coming downstream to the various communities.”

Amid Belize’s energy crisis, the demand for hydroelectricity increased and this has led to the water supply rapidly diminishing. Now, as the company is in desperate need of rain to fill the reservoir, it is at risk of being polluted by soot when it rains.

Britney Gordon

“So speak to me about that situation of how we’re planning to navigate this need for rain, but also expecting that to have a negative impact.”

Albert Roches

“From the environmental side, like you mentioned, whenever you have these forest fires, you normally have what we have in the accumulation of heavy metals. Mercury, arsenic, all of lead that forms when you burn things and with the rains coming down, yes, pretty much needed and we are hoping that when it comes, the initial rains will be some a good one, but some soft ones, not some downpours, and yes, we would like to fill the dam as quickly as we can, but that is something we’ll be monitoring and watching for landslides and also for the loss of topsoil in those areas, and like I said the impacts we’ll be monitoring those. Every quarter we conduct water quality monitoring all the way from the tributaries of the Macal River, all the way down to San Ignacio. So we’ll be getting those results maybe in the next month.”

Operations Manager Tedford Pate says that the current conditions are not very favorable for the generation of power at this point. Fortis hopes that the rains that are forecasted in June will be adequate to replenish the reservoir. He explains that If erosion sedimentation were to build up in the reservoir, the filters would clog.

Tedford Pate, Operations Manager, Fortis Belize

“Looking at the effects that these forest fires could have with operation it’s actually it’s actually something that we’re already preparing for, we have our filters, we have our teams prepared with work plans in addressing these prior to the rain so that we could have the systems ready and up and running for any additional inflow so that we could generate more power. So while that is a concern from an operational standpoint, we really are hoping for the rains where we’re anticipating enough rain so that we could continue with our supporting of the grid, especially during these times when we’re having power issues in the country. It’s a balancing act. And there is no doubt about it. We didn’t expect these fires to happen, but we have to be able to look at ways to mitigate the issues that come either from an environmental aspect or from our operational aspect and continue providing reliable power to the country.”

Menzies reaffirmed the company’s commitment to providing quality energy to the country and attributed the success of the fire relief mission to the teamwork of the community.

Kay Menzies

“I think right now, everybody’s watching the reservoir with interest and concern. The team is trying to make sure that we keep going as long as we can and from the for the environmental aspect of it, the surroundings of the reservoir are very important to us. So we’re doing some work to figure out how we go forward with this. This is probably the most devastating wildfire we’ve seen in that area since Chalillo was built. So it’s a learning experience for everybody concerned. And one of the things I want to say is that the duration of the worst of the fire was as short as it was because folks on the ground were incredibly organized. The teamwork that we saw come out of this with groups that had not previously worked together.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

34,000 Acres of Pine Ridge Lost to Wildfires Out West

Fire relief missions across the country are ongoing. While the teams at Mountain Pine Ridge have been able to successfully extinguish the flames that spread across the reserve last week, at least thirty-four thousand acres have been severely damaged. And in southern Belize, the fires are raging on throughout Toledo District, contributing to millions of dollars lost in agriculture. Amidst this crisis, the government has assured the public that additional assistance will be provided to the affected farmers and that the relief mission has not yet ended. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with that report.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Last week, a brushfire wreaked havoc across the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, leading to a multi-agency relief effort. After days of diligent work fighting the flames, the team was able to extinguish and contain the fire, however, nearly forty percent of the forest was affected. Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development, says that majority of the trees in the affected area, will make a recovery.

Orlando Habet, Minister of Minister of Sustainable Development

“The trees were already starting to seed. They will fall on ground that has a lot of ash now. And so when the rains come, it is expected that there will be a lot of regeneration. Additionally, the Forest Department is preparing through their restoration program. o put down seeds, to produce seedlings for restoration activities, so as to plant. Pine trees in those areas that do not take naturally from the regeneration. And also the concessionaire for the long term forest concessions also are involved in producing seeds through their nurses, and they will also be assisting in replanting.”

While reports are optimistic for Mountain Pine Ridge, down in southern Belize, the number of people and farmland affected by the fires continues to grow. The Minister of Disaster Risk Management spoke on the severity of the matter.

Andre Perez, Minister of Disaster Risk Management

“As we speak right now, the jungle continues to burn down south in Toledo last night. There were some threats for Silver Creek. Up in the mountain Pine Ridge, the fire continues to rage. As much as thirty-four thousand acres of Pine Ridge has burnt. Down south in Toledo District hundreds of, millions of dollars in, agriculture products – plantations have been lost. Cacao, beans; we’re talking about corn, even mahogany trees. There’s a farm there with growing mahogany trees, it’s all gone. So this fire is very serious economically. It is affecting us and will affect us. The livelihoods of these people are being affected. Even the village of San Antonio is under threat right now with their water lines, and also the ecological disaster. So all of this has to be quantified looking at – and in terms of funding, It is important.”

Relief efforts are ongoing in the area and the government is planning on providing additional assistance to the affected farmers.

Andre Perez

“I’ve been in there about two times down south, and in Mountain Pine Ridge as well, I was there this weekend. And everything is moving swiftly in terms of humanitarian needs, also in fighting of the fires. Again, we’ve gotten Astrum [Helicopters]. It’s a cost – comes with a cost, but it was necessary. It has been very effective and that has helped a lot. In terms of relief also with the Department of Agriculture as well to assist the farmers. The Forestry [department] is already involved in here as well, and NEMO in Punta Gorda Town, Machaka area, has of course activated to assist in any way possible -the livelihoods in terms of food, other materials that are needed for homes.”

Reporter

“So they’re already getting assistance?”

Andre Perez

“Absolutely.”

Out west in San Antonio, Cayo, Habet explains that the relief efforts have also been extensive in fighting the fires that disrupted the village’s water supply. He says that most of the fires have now been contained.

Orlando Habet

“In the San Antonio area. the information is that the fires are contained there was assistance, they had to utilize the helicopters from Astrum to put water a few days ago. The firefighters from the forest department the co manager of the Elijio Panti, and also the villagers from San Antonio and led by the town council, the village council. And also the private sector, the resort Gaia, Blancano and others who are also and have been participating. We are thankful for all those who have participated, who have contributed, and we understand that today the private sector was even lending some assistance in terms of masks and providing other drinks, power aid and stuff like that gatorade for the fighters who get dehydrated. A lot of the fire in that area has now been contained, most of it.”

Additionally, on Monday, the team at Altun Ha Archaeological Site discovered a brushfire near the temples. The past two days have been spent containing the flames that increased on Tuesday evening. We asked Habet for an update on the situation.

Orlando Habet

“Not this morning, but yesterday we were informed and I had communicated with The people from B.T.B., we both informed the fire department at Ladyville. They moved in quickly and assisted the community and other people who are assisting to quench the fire. I haven’t had a report this morning as to what happened there, but my information that I received at about two in the morning. Most of the fire had been out.”

Perez said that the government is also receiving assistance through the U.S. Embassy and the Belize Red Cross, from abroad to assist the people who have suffered losses because of the wildfires. Britney Gordon for News Five.

Vulnerable Nations Still Waiting on Climate Justice

For the past few days, Minister Orlando Habet and a Belizean delegation have been participating in the Small Island Developing States Conference in Antigua and Barbuda. This meeting is an opportunity for small island developing states, SIDS, to renew their commitment to sustainable development, focusing on climate change, debt and health crises, underscored by the theme, “charting the course towards resilient prosperity”. A major concern for several of the nations participating in this event is the climate justice funding that is owed to vulnerable nations in exchange for the reduction of carbon emissions. In 2022, the loss and damage funding agreement was established at COP27 which provides funding for vulnerable countries severely affected by climate change. However, several countries have faced difficulty in accessing the funding promised by large carbon emitters.

Orlando Habet, Minster of Climate Change

“We have been in several meetings over the years at COPS. And every five years, we are supposed to submit our N.D.C.s, which are basically our mitigation commitments for Belize, we are doing our part in trying to mitigate the little that we already emit, but as SIDS in general produce only about zero point zero one percent of total emissions. The G20 produce over eighty percent of total emissions. So certainly the arena is skewed as to who are the big emitters and so in regards to getting climate justice, that is one area that we want because we are the ones being affected, but also for us to be able to put down certain adaptation measures so that we can build resilience. Then it is imperative that we get the financing that we get the funding to do these adaptation projects that will build resilience for our small states and our communities. It has not been forthcoming. The promises are not being fulfilled and the little monies that are available are difficult to access. And many times, they come hinged with a lot of conditions and many times things that we can’t really afford or really want to do because they really don’t make sense. That is where we’re certainly seeking climate justice in terms of trying to get the funding to be able to do the implementation for N.D.C.s that we commit to. But without the funding, we can’t do it. We have, as our last N.D.C. shows a lot of ambition, but we have a gap of about one point seven billion for us to be able to implement our N.D.C.s from here to 2030.”

Erwin Contreras Ditches Senate Inquiry; Hearings Halted

Former Minister of Economic Development Erwin Contreras was a no-show at today’s scheduled senate inquiry. A notice issued by the National Assembly this afternoon says that the former Cayo West Area Representative refused to appear before the Senate Special Select Committee. In the days leading up to the general elections in November 2020, Contreras signed the dubious Definitive Agreement with Portico Enterprises Limited. This was for the development of the Port of Magical Belize, a project that is spearheaded by David Gegg. Contreras’ absence halted the hearing that was scheduled for today. A public notice this afternoon reads, “the committee is most disappointed at this information as Mister Contreras has already admitted that he signed the Definitive Agreement which committed the Government and the people of Belize to grant Portico financial concessions worth hundreds of millions of dollars for thirty years. Contreras is the only person and former government minister who can explain why he signed the agreement.”

Andre Perez is Not Worried about Redistricting

The redistricting exercise, when it does take place, will mean that some constituencies will become smaller and some larger in number of voters. The Belize Rural South division, which comprises San Pedro and Caye Caulker, is the fifth largest in the country. That constituency will likely be redrawn, making it smaller in size. Today Area Representative Andre Perez told us that he is unbothered by the possibility of redistricting.

Marion Ali

“If the redistricting readjusts the size of your constituency, are you concerned about it? And how?”

Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South

“Listen, we cannot be – I’m not concerned about redistricting. Honestly, I do know that I’m a very large – I’m the third largest constituency. I wouldn’t say me – Belize Rural South is the third largest [with] just over 10,000 registered voters. I’d say, so when it comes to redistricting, I understand it needs to be it to be divided up in the right way. And when the time comes for that, I’m prepared. I’m losing no sleep over it.”

Minister Explains Presence of Extraction Machine in San Pedro

Today, both ministers Perez and Habet were asked to speak on major developments that are happening in Belize, primarily in San Pedro, that involve extractive activity or infrastructural developments over the sea. Habet, who was asked to weigh in on these types of projects after Belize has signed a blue bond that supports marine environments, did so candidly. He said that much of Belize is still under protection and that the country needs development but that it is doing so as responsibly as it can. Perez, who was asked about heavy-duty machinery that was recently shipped to San Pedro for development, assured that the protocols are being followed before any kind of activity takes place.

Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South

“I did find out that it’s a machine for excavating the quarry there, and that quarry that you’re talking about there, they are very compliant. They have everything in place with all – compliant for doing the mining. It’s just a bigger machine to produce the material that is white marl, which is crucial for the streets. Remember that the town of San Pedro, we have an aim of paving nine miles, but to pave those nine miles, we need to prepare those streets with white marl. If we were to talk about cost, bringing nine loads of white mall on a barge from Belize City to Ambergris Caye would cost somewhere around $15,000. That’s what it costs. Now with this natural resource available, and we’re doing it the right way, correctly, in compliance, this is what is created for the Town Council and for the town to prepare these streets for paving, we’ve saved millions of dollars. So that’s the bright side we need to look at. While it’s true that it’s looking like a huge machinery, the development of Ambergris Caye is growing so fast that we have to prepare. But everything so far shows that it’s being done in compliance.”

Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development

“For national development there are certain risks that we take. Progress, as they say, brings problems, but let’s take it from the standpoint. Belize has a vast amount of land and sea in conservation. We need national development. Some projects that are entertained by one, applying for an environmental impact assessment goes to at least 15 professionals on the N.E.A.C. after a summary of the report comes to them from the Department of the Environment. We go based on their recommendations. I think that we have, as 60 percent of our country is still in forest cover, we have about 39 percent in protected areas, a large part of the logging comes from sustainable logging concessions, and we really have very little mining being done that will affect the forest. Our environment – certainly when a mangrove is torn down, people see it negatively. What we have to start to do now is to also ensure that these companies and these investors can also do some restoration activities. And to work along with us to see how we can still have those development projects, but also be as conservative as possible.”

Belize Encourages Others to Follow the Footsteps of the Blue Bond Agreement

While participating in a side event at the Small Island Developing State Conference in Antigua and Barbuda, Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development, Climate Change, and Disaster Risk Management showcased Belize’s Blue Bond Agreement. The event was cohosted by the Government of Belize and the Nature Conservancy with the goal to educate other countries on how debt-for-climate swaps can help their economies. The Belize Blue Bonds was presented as a success study to emphasize how tools such as these agreements can be used to help them reach their nature and climate commitments without increasing the nation’s debt. We spoke with Habet today, who told us more about the presentation.

Orlando Habet, Minister of Climate Change

“We have been in certain conversations in dialogues and our participation to some of these dialogues has been the presentation of our blue bond agreement. We demonstrated to the rest of Caricom and the other SIDS and those other participants that are here at the meetings whole country like ours. Using its natural assets can have debt sustainability by engaging in these types of agreements. Leveraging your assets to reduce your debt. But also to have some conservation funding. And in our case, an additional amount of money is going for an endowment that can increase and can be used for other sources, putting some back to nature, and also some that can go back international development. This has been taken on and seen as something very viable for some states that can have that have those assets. But also, one of the requirements is that you have to have the debt to be able to restructure the debt and then other commitments that can be made from other institutions. In our case, we were lucky to be able to have the development finance corporation from the United States to back up our part of the agreement. And so we were able to be successful in that transaction. So things, all these things have to be put in place so that then it can be done.”

Stop Orders are Issued to Islanders Building Obstructive Seawalls

And for those property owners in San Pedro and Caye Caulker who have gone ahead to build seawalls, creating either obstructions to others or concerns about the environment, Perez explained that they are being dealt with in accordance with the law. Today he informed that stop orders have been issued to all those property owners who have insisted on continuing with their construction. He added that having Forestry and the Department of the Environment now represented on the island is already making a positive difference.

Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South

“I think they’re looking at stop orders already. And I did speak with the different departments this morning because it’s not only that wall, to be honest with you, that’s being brought to light, because one thing, I thank the Caye Caulker people for bringing it to light. There are many concerns up in Ambergris Caye as well, and I’ve been reaching out. So I’m thankful now that the Department of Environment and Forestry has an office, and know they are doing the work, and we’ve expressed the support as well from the council that’s providing any kind of support that we can do with them, as well as the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. So all is coming into place, and let them know, especially those people are developing up there, we’re not calling any names – foreigners that come in there. We simply just want to make it clear to them that we are a country of standards. There is a way development can happen, but there are ways and means how to do it. There’s a legal process and a lot of that has gone unchecked because it’s a huge place. The municipality is overwhelmed, but having the right departments in permanent place is going to make a difference and it’s making a difference already.”

CEMO Meets to Discuss Natural Disasters

The National Emergency Management Organization often meets around this of year for a disaster communication workshop as part of its preparations for the upcoming hurricane season. But with climate change and forest fires having so much impact on the environment, the City Emergency Management Organization included all these occurrences in the discussions. Today’s workshop had the participation of all the relevant departments that would be first responders in the event of a natural disaster. Because Belize City is low-lying, flooding and erosion are primary topics. News Five’s Marion Ali was present for the early part of the workshop and filed this report.

Marion Ali, Reporting

This morning, teams from various government departments met with personnel from the Belize City Council for a workshop to streamline their communication capacity to better respond to natural disasters. Minister of Disaster Risk Management, Andre Perez pointed out that because the world is under constant threat due to climate change, the discussions can no longer be centered on hurricane preparedness.

Andre Perez, Minister of Disaster Risk Management

“It’s no longer June to November. We’re talking about not only storms now, we have the serious threat of fire. Climate change is real and rising sea level, erosion, everything is affecting this city, which is the hub, the economic hub of the entire country. So it’s crucial, and we have that focused and organize leaders as it relates to NEMO to be prepared. It’s always about preparedness as we enter into the hurricane season. And today’s session invited all the relevant departments to conduct a session to see where we can work together in terms of when storms come around or when we have the threats of other potential dangers that come to the city.”

CEMO Liaison Officer, Melanie Dawson says today’s session was key because having optimum communication among a working group of first responders can spell the difference between a good and bad outcome.

Melanie Dawson, CEMO Liaison Officer, Belize City Council

“This is our preparation phase at this point right now, so basically we are in preparation of getting our internal staff and our stakeholders ready. And this time we took a different approach and we are working on our communication line within the E.O.C. So we want to ensure that we enhance our communication patterns within the E.O.C. This way we can execute our roles and responsibilities in a more effective and efficient way for the residents within the city.”

Communication capacity aside, does the Belize City Council and its partners have the wherewithal to respond in a timely fashion to the needs of a rapidly expanding municipality should a hurricane or tsunami render the population in need?

Melanie Dawson

“This is why we collaborate with other stakeholders when it comes to resources. This is where we extend and we work in collaboration to get resources that we need. Within a tsunami plan, all of these components are being included in it. Right now at this point we are working along, with Captain Daniel Mendez to finish a plan that we actually had started for Belize City.”

Dawson says that when the plan is completed it will be shared with the public. Marion Ali for News Five.

Andre Perez Says There’s a Plan for More Fire Stations

Since the fire station compound on Cleghorn Street was sold and the structure torn down, there has been no construction of a new headquarters. The office is currently on Albert Street, while the trucks are parked at the Marion Jones Stadium. But today when he was asked about a permanent fire station for Belize City, Minister of Disaster Risk Management, Andre Perez said that he has a plan not only for a Belize City fire station, but for others that are needed elsewhere as well.

Andre Perez, Minister of Disaster Risk Management

“Actually we are working because remember there’s funds already. The land has been secured there on Chetumal Street. We are working on it. It’s going to be a slow process. Again, we’re stuck with what we inherited from the last administration, and I’m new into this ministry here as well, the disasters management and the Fire Department falls under it. Actually, I want to share with you. I’ve done a tour. I’ve been to the south along with the C.E.O.s and the Fire Chief, and NEMO as well. I did a tour down south, visited the fire station in Dangriga, which is a fine station, very nice. Of course, Independence needs a big upgrade, as well as the town of Punta Gorda. So we’re working on that. The funding is where we’re going to work and we have a plan. We do recognize that there’s lots of improvement in that department. Certainly private sector has to play a role. I will call out, again, in Independence, there are many business people there near that port. We’re going to reach out to them, and I’m sure they’ll be collaborating with us to see how we can improve because eventually, God forbid, a disaster happens in the port, the Fire Department will be called upon. So that’s my method of approaching, not only relying on government. Government can lead, government can try to get the funds, but there are stakeholders that are involved and we must reach out to them. And I’m sure they’re waiting for us to sit down with them to make things better, not only for report, but for area.”