Colombia's wildfires spread to 18 regions amid El Niño heatwave

Wildfires continue to rage across Colombia, spreading to 18 regions and showing no signs of abating. The fires, intensified by dry weather and strong winds linked to the El Niño phenomenon, are devastating vast swathes of forest. The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management reported that 10 fires are active in Tolima, 5 in Nariño, and 2 in Cundinamarca, with another in Valle del Cauca.

The Tolima region is particularly hard-hit, having been under a state of emergency for 26 days. Over 20,000 acres of forest have already been reduced to ashes. Santiago Herrera, the mayor of Coello in Tolima, has made an urgent appeal to the central government for aerial firefighting aircraft to combat the escalating blazes.

Herrera described the ongoing struggle against the fires in Coello, citing extreme heat and strong winds that continue to fuel multiple active fire fronts. "We are facing enormous difficulties in controlling the flames," he stated in an interview with Caracol News. Interior Minister Rodrigo Lara confirmed that fires in San Luis and Coello intensified overnight, with emergency firefighting crews working tirelessly from dawn till dusk to protect homes and power transmission towers.

Ground operations are being conducted by firefighters, civilian volunteer teams, soldiers, and police. Authorities have also confirmed instances of arson, leading to the arrest of two suspects. Farmers in Tolima have reported significant damage to their lemon and avocado crops, pleading with authorities to prioritize protecting their homes from the advancing flames.

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We are facing enormous difficulties in controlling the flames.