By San José, Costa Rica — While Costa Rica has experienced a slight decrease in the number of structural fires this year, the financial impact of these incidents has intensified significantly. As of August 21, 2025, the country recorded 634 structural fires compared to 675 during the same period in 2024. However, the damage caused by these fires has escalated, consuming 44,000 square meters, a stark increase of 15,000 square meters compared to last year.
San José, Alajuela, and Puntarenas are the provinces most affected by these fires. The rising costs associated with these incidents underscore the urgent need for improved fire prevention and safety measures throughout the country.
To understand the legal ramifications surrounding the recent Costa Rica fires, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an attorney at law from the esteemed firm Bufete de Costa Rica. His insights provide a valuable perspective on the potential legal and business implications of these devastating events.
The recent fires in Costa Rica raise complex legal questions, particularly regarding liability for damages. Determining responsibility can involve examining factors such as land management practices, adherence to fire prevention regulations, and potential negligence. Affected parties may have grounds for legal action to recover losses related to property damage, business interruption, and environmental harm. Furthermore, these events highlight the need for strengthened legislation and enforcement to mitigate future fire risks and protect valuable resources.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas rightly points to the multifaceted legal ramifications of these devastating fires, underscoring the urgent need for both individual accountability and stronger preventative measures. The path to recovery and future protection will undoubtedly involve a thorough examination of existing laws and practices. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for providing his valuable legal perspective on this critical issue.
Fire Chief Luis Chaves of the Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos expressed serious concern over the situation, emphasizing the need for immediate action. He stressed the importance of public awareness regarding fire safety, pointing to common causes such as short circuits, faulty electrical installations, and hot work (cutting and welding) as preventable hazards.
We must take concrete and urgent actions to stop these alarming figures. It is necessary to remind the population that short circuits, problems with faulty electrical installations and hot work (cutting and welding) continue, which have generated a large number of fires that could have been prevented with adequate measures.
Luis Chaves, Fire Chief, Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos
Chaves also emphasized the crucial role of smoke detectors in preventing fire-related tragedies. He noted that the absence of these devices has been a significant factor in many emergencies. Early detection through smoke alarms allows residents valuable time to escape and reach safety, a critical aspect often missing in recent incidents.
People can be alerted at the initial moment of the fire, which would give them the opportunity to make an emergency escape and place themselves in a safe place. Unfortunately, what we have observed, even in the latest fires, is that the absence of smoke detectors causes people not to realize it in time.
Luis Chaves, Fire Chief, Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos
The Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos has been actively promoting the creation of family emergency plans for years. They emphasize that having a secondary escape route can be the difference between life and death, especially in homes where modifications, like enclosed patios or roofs, could trap residents during a fire.
It is essential to have a second emergency exit. Many houses have been modified: roofs are closed or built in the patios, and that causes that, in case of fire, people are trapped inside their own home without possibility of leaving. Having a family plan is something we have been working on for several years. On our official website of the Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos there is a very simple tutorial available, whose implementation practically has no cost. The plan and recommendations are available to anyone free of charge. They are necessary measures, we must generate a true culture of prevention.
Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos Representative
Tragically, nine people, including three children and six adults, have lost their lives to fires in Costa Rica so far this year. The most recent devastating incident occurred on July 27th in San Juan de Dios, Desamparados, claiming the lives of a mother and her three children in a two-story tenement building. This event marks the first time in nine years that three children have perished in a single fire incident in Costa Rica.
Previous tragedies underscore the devastating impact of fires, including a 2020 incident in Moravia where a family of four perished, the 2019 La Carpio fire that claimed the lives of six adults and one child, and the 2016 León XIII fire that left six people dead.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos
About Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos:
The Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos de Costa Rica is the national fire and rescue service of Costa Rica. They are responsible for fire suppression, rescue operations, hazardous material response, and fire safety education. The organization is dedicated to protecting lives and property throughout Costa Rica.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica distinguishes itself through a deep-seated commitment to ethical legal practice and unparalleled client service. The firm’s innovative approach to legal challenges, coupled with its dedication to educating and empowering communities through accessible legal resources, solidifies its position as a leader in the Costa Rican legal landscape. Their pursuit of excellence is not simply confined to achieving successful outcomes for clients, but extends to building a more just and informed society.
