Forest Fires Ravage Southern Colombia, Affecting 20,000 Hectares
Colombia faces a new emergency caused by wildfires. In the department of Tolima, in the south of the country, 24 fires are affecting 13 municipalities and have burned about 20,000 hectares, according to regional authorities, while the flames have also caused road closures and restrictions. The situation is worsening due to high temperatures, dry vegetation […]
Forest fires have engulfed 20,000 hectares in Tolima, southern Colombia, amid a drought and the effects of El Niño. The disaster has put the region under an emergency declaration, with 24 separate fires affecting 13 municipalities. The intense blaze near Gualanday threatens homes and roads, forcing authorities to close the highway connecting El Espinal to Ibague.
Authorities are seeking aerial support to combat the fires, especially in hard-to-reach areas. Meanwhile, the prolonged El Niño event has heightened the risk of wildfires worldwide, with Canada and several European countries also grappling with devastating blazes. In Colombia, authorities are investigating whether some fires are intentionally set or the result of uncontrolled burning in rural areas.
Amid the destruction, wildlife is also suffering, with numerous animals killed by the flames in the affected regions.
Written by urgent.news from Colombia One's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
