Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – An out-of-control grass fire in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle burned palapas at Punta Esmeralda condos, forced evacuations within a 200 m radius and caused damage to multiple towers and nearby homes.
La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Riviera Nayarit (Wednesday, May 21, 2025) — A rapidly spreading grass fire in a vacant lot at the point known as El Tizate descended upon the Punta Esmeralda condominium complex Wednesday afternoon, igniting thatched palapas and forcing the urgent evacuation of residents and visitors from the area.
The blaze, which began in a parched expanse of brush adjacent to Riviera Nayarit Boulevard, quickly gained intensity under strong coastal winds. Flames leapt from the grassy knoll into the community, engulfing several palapas and sending plumes of smoke visible from across Bahía de Banderas. As panicked condominium occupants fled, emergency crews from three municipal and state fire departments—Bahía de Banderas, Puerto Vallarta (Jalisco), and Nayarit—alongside members of the Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (SEDENA), converged on the scene.
“We mobilized our best resources within minutes of the first call,” said Fire Chief Luis Herrera of Bahía de Banderas. “Our primary objective was to protect lives and prevent the fire from overtaking occupied buildings. The strong winds complicated our efforts, but coordinated water jets and aerial monitoring helped us contain the flames around the condo towers.”
Residents within a 200-meter radius of the blaze were ordered to evacuate immediately. Local authorities established a temporary shelter at a nearby community center, where displaced families received water, blankets, and first aid. According to municipal officials, no serious injuries have been reported, though several individuals were treated on-site for smoke inhalation and minor burns.
Despite the swift arrival of firefighting units, embers carried by gusts ignited secondary fires atop at least three of the complex’s mid-rise towers, scorching exterior facades and damaging balcony furniture. “We’ve secured those hotspots and are now focusing on fully extinguishing the grassland fire,” explained Edén Castillón, Director of Public Works for Bahía de Banderas, who coordinated ground crews setting up firebreaks to starve the flames of fuel. “Our engineers are assessing structural damage and will commence repairs once the area is deemed safe.”
Homes bordering the condominium complex also sustained damage when drifting embers landed on rooftops and lawns. Neighbors reported singed fences, melted gutters, and scorched vegetation. Volunteer teams from local civil protection groups assisted elderly residents in clearing combustible material from around their homes to prevent further spread.
Environmental experts warn that this season’s unusually high temperatures and prolonged dry spells have left grasslands throughout Riviera Nayarit primed for wildfires. “With humidity levels at record lows and winds consistently above 20 km/h, even a small spark can trigger a major incident,” said José Ramírez, a wildfire specialist at the Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit. “Communities situated near undeveloped brush areas need to maintain defensible space and coordinate closely with firefighting authorities.”
Once the active grassland fire is fully suppressed—a process aided by firebreaks and continued water dousing—authorities plan to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of ignition. Preliminary reports suggest the fire may have been sparked by discarded glass bottles acting as makeshift magnifying lenses under the midday sun, though arson has not been ruled out.
As of Thursday morning, power has been restored to all affected buildings, and access roads reopened under traffic control. Cleanup crews are removing debris and ash from common areas, and engineers are inspecting structural elements for heat-related damage. Temporary repairs to damaged palapas and balconies are underway, with permanent restoration slated for completion within the next two weeks.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - An out-of-control grass fire in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle burned palapas at Punta Esmeralda condos, forced evacuations within a 200 m radius and caused damage to multiple towers and nearby homes.
