BOGOTA, Colombia: Colombia is grappling with a severe forest fire crisis that has ravaged over 17,000 hectares of land since November, fueled by an unprecedented heatwave and prolonged drought.
Environment Minister Susana Muhamad revealed that more than 340 fires have been documented during this period, with 26 still actively burning. The fires, exacerbated by the El Nino weather phenomenon, pose a significant threat to the country’s ecosystems.
Notably, the capital, Bogota, has been impacted by fires in the surrounding mountains, leading authorities to caution residents against outdoor activities due to poor air quality. The ongoing emergency prompted President Gustavo Petro to declare a natural disaster, unlocking funds for firefighting efforts and appealing for international assistance.
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One of the affected areas is the Nevada del Cocuy natural park, located about 250 kilometers northeast of Bogota, where a helicopter has been deployed to assess the situation. The fires near El Paraiso, an eastern neighborhood of Bogota, have also prompted health concerns, with the Colombian Red Cross treating residents affected by smoke inhalation.
The crisis has disrupted normal operations at Bogota’s El Dorado international airport, with flight restrictions affecting 138 flights. As Colombia experiences its hottest January in three decades, authorities are investigating potential arson as a cause for some fires, leading to the arrest of 26 individuals on “fire-related offences.” Ghisliane Echeverry, director of the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies, warns that February could witness even higher temperatures, with relief expected only in March when rains are anticipated to mitigate the heat’s consequences.
