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Colombia governor suspects arson in Tolima wildfires that scorched 20,000 hectares
🇨🇴 Colombia /Disasters & Emergencies

Colombia governor suspects arson in Tolima wildfires that scorched 20,000 hectares

From El Tiempo · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Over 20,000 hectares of vegetation have been affected by forest fires in Colombia's Tolima department, with 10 fires active in nine municipalities.
  • The governor of Tolima has filed a complaint with the Prosecutor's Office to investigate the possibility of deliberate arson.
  • Authorities are deploying significant resources, including aircraft and hundreds of emergency personnel, to combat the fires, some of which threatened agricultural facilities and infrastructure.

Forest fires have ravaged over 20,000 hectares of vegetation in Colombia's Tolima department, with 10 fires currently active across nine municipalities. The scale of the disaster has prompted Governor Adriana Matiz to file a formal complaint with the Prosecutor's Office, urging an investigation into whether some fires were deliberately set.

"One thing is to face the force of nature, and another very different thing is that this tragedy is deliberately provoked by criminal hands," Matiz stated, emphasizing the need to distinguish between natural occurrences and potential arson. She indicated that authorities have gathered evidence suggesting the need for a thorough investigation into potential responsibilities. "Against the fire of nature, we respond with capabilities, but against those who deliberately provoke it, we must impose the full rigor of the law," she added.

One thing is to face the force of nature, and another very different thing is that this tragedy is deliberately provoked by criminal hands.

— Adriana MatizTolima Governor on the investigation into the cause of the forest fires.

The department has previously experienced intense fire activity, with up to 40 fires active on a single day. The most critical blazes are concentrated in Carmen de Apicalá, Suárez, Ortega, Armero Guayabal, San Luis, and Coello. In Suárez, a fire threatened an poultry facility, while in Coello, flames neared an Ecopetrol plant and residential areas. Despite recent rainfall in some areas, the risk remains high.

Responding to the emergencies, authorities have deployed two police helicopters and two planes, alongside two military aircraft. Hundreds of emergency responders from Tolima and other departments, as well as local residents, are assisting in the firefighting efforts. The government is analyzing whether some of the numerous incidents could have been intentionally caused.

Against the fire of nature, we respond with capabilities, but against those who deliberately provoke it, we must impose the full rigor of the law.

— Adriana MatizTolima Governor on the need to prosecute arsonists.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Tiempo in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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