Baviácora Airstrip

The airstrip was closed as a direct consequence of the August 2014 Grupo México copper sulfate spill in the Sonora River. This catastrophic event, which contaminated the water supply for numerous communities, prompted intense regulatory scrutiny from federal agencies, including PROFEPA (Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection) and COFEPRIS (Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks). The airstrip, primarily used for agricultural aviation (fumigation), was found to be operating without the required environmental and operational permits. It was forced to cease operations as part of a broader crackdown on unregulated activities and potential sources of pollution along the river basin.

The site is abandoned for aviation purposes. Recent satellite imagery confirms that the unpaved runway remains clearly visible but is in a state of disuse. It is overgrown with vegetation and shows signs of being used informally as an access road for vehicles servicing the adjacent agricultural fields. The land has not been redeveloped for other purposes, effectively leaving it as a 'ghost runway'.

The Baviácora Airstrip was of significant local importance, serving almost exclusively as a base for agricultural aviation. Crop-dusting aircraft used the strip to support the region's agriculture-based economy, which is vital to the Sonora River valley. Operations were crucial for the cultivation of local crops such as chili peppers, corn, and pecans. The airstrip did not handle commercial passenger flights or significant cargo traffic; its role was purely functional and tied to the agricultural productivity of the immediate area.

There are no known official plans or credible prospects for reopening the Baviácora Airstrip. The strict environmental regulations and permitting requirements that led to its closure remain in effect, making a revival for its original purpose economically unfeasible for small operators. The local municipal government's priorities are focused on long-term recovery from the 2014 environmental disaster. Furthermore, the increasing use of modern technologies like agricultural drones for crop spraying may permanently reduce the demand for a traditional fumigation airstrip in the area.