Forest fire threatens tourist town in Colombian Andes

Villa de Leyva, a popular tourist destination in central Colombia, found itself under threat from a raging forest fire on Sunday, according to local officials. The flames were visible from the town's central square, a sight that draws over a million visitors annually due to its stunning colonial architecture and cobblestone streets.

Initial reports indicate that the fire has consumed approximately 200 hectares, a figure that has since doubled to 200 hectares. Around 250 local firefighters and residents have been battling the blaze, which began on Saturday in a nearby forest and has been smoldering for nearly 24 hours. Volunteers, armed with machetes and branches, have been attempting to slow the fire's progress, while aerial support has arrived in the form of two helicopters from the governor's office, two military helicopters, and firefighters from Bogota.

President Abelardo de la Espriella pledged on X (formerly Twitter) that all state resources would be mobilized to combat the fire and safeguard the town's inhabitants, heritage, and natural resources. The Disaster Risk Management agency reported that the fire was 50% contained by the afternoon. While forest fires are common during Colombia's dry season near the equator, the intensity of this blaze has been exacerbated by the ongoing El Nino weather pattern, characterized by drought and high temperatures. As of the latest official data, there are about 18 active forest fires across the country.