Whether it’s wildfires running wild or smoke clogging up the skies, she’s on a quest to turn Belize’s fiery chaos into a future where fire is safe, useful, and under control. Think of her as your friendly neighborhood fire-whisperer, rallying Belizeans to team up, set the rules, and keep the blaze in its place.
VISION
For all Belizeans to only use Fire and its smoke with purpose, have country-wide rules for Fire use, and control Fire so as to make it safe, friendly, and healthy for all.
MISSION/ACTION
Mobilizing communities, policymakers, and fire-users to collaborate on sustainable fire practices—because nobody should be coughing through haze or fleeing wildfires in paradise!
HISTORY
Fire has always been a part of Belizean culture and practices, but with climate change and increasing development of land, the impacts of fires have escalated.
In 2024, the dry season in Belize was unprecedented. Temperatures were above 100 degrees F for many days. Only a little over 1/2-inch of rain fell during the three months of March, April, and May in Santa Elena, Cayo. The land was dry and cracked. Fires started easily and spread widely with the fast, dry winds.
In May, much of the country, particularly in the Cayo and Toledo Districts, was hard hit by wildfires. Smoke covered the Macal River Valley, Mountain Pine Ridge, and many other places. Air quality was terrible. Fire damage to agricultural areas was estimated at BZ$12 million, with 108,000 acres of crops, pastures, and trees burned, and 400 families in 41 Toledo communities were impacted. The Vaca Forest Reserve had 10,000 acres burned; Tapir Mountain Reserve had 400 acres burned. Fortis Belize spent BZ$200,000 to fight fires in the Mountain Pine Ridge.
Dr. Gail Lash, living in Cristo Rey Village, Cayo, had smoke at her home for five weeks. She observed all this and wondered, “What can we do to protect the health of people, animals, and the environment from out-of-control fires?” Because she works with wild animal caretakers and has a forestry and biology background, Dr. Lash thought an animal mascot could address these fire issues to teach children about fire safety and health.
In June 2024, she chose a female, black jaguar as fire teacher and named her with the Kriol name, “Faiya Taiga” (the first “a” is silent). Faiya Taiga was born!
Dr. Lash has written several children’s books about Faiya Taiga and her teachings on fire safety and health.
Why does Faiya Taiga have black fur?
Did you know that jaguars come in either golden or black colors? The normal color for a jaguar is golden with black rosettes (rose-shaped spots). A golden male and golden female can mate and have normal, golden cubs, or, with the right genes, they can also give birth to a black-colored cub.
Black jaguars also have black rosettes, but their spots are hard to see because of the excess of melanin or black pigment in the fur. Faiya Taiga is a black jaguar!
A vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.
