Fireburn Reserve

Fireburn is 1818 acres of protected forests and mangrove savannas managed through an agreement between Wildtracks and the Fireburn Community. This remote wilderness is situated in North East Belize, adjacent to the southern end of Shipstern Lagoon, and is accessed only by boat. At the heart of the Reserve lies the small, predominantly Creole community of Fireburn and its farm land.

The Fireburn Reserve protects an extremely high number of species of both flora and fauna, from the wild-ranging white-lipped peccary to the charismatic jaguar. The area supports nesting ornate hawk eagles and a healthy population of Baird’s tapir. It is also known for the presence of Yucatan endemic species associated with drier forests – the Yucatan vireo and Yucatan jay, as well as species such as the black catbird, a mangrove-associate. This high level of diversity results from the wide range of habitats found with the reserve, and the fact that the reserve is part of a larger natural area of the North East Biological Corridor.

Facilities in the reserve include a Visitor’s Center with interpretive material for school groups, a Fieldbase with accommodation and work space for researchers and reserve staff, and a hide for viewing the wildlife found in and around one of the few freshwater ponds in this corner of the country. A network of trails connect these facilities, and provides access to other areas of the reserve.