Key facts
- Colombia declared a public calamity due to a wildfire near the tourist town of Villa de Leyva.
- The fire began Saturday on a mountain overlooking the town.
- By Sunday evening, approximately 290 hectares (717 acres) had been affected.
- The blaze was reported to be about 50% under control on the ground.
- Strong winds have complicated containment efforts.
- Preliminary information suggests the fire may have been deliberately started.
Colombian authorities declared a public calamity as a wildfire raged in the mountains surrounding Villa de Leyva, a popular colonial tourist town located about 160km (100 miles) north-east of the capital, Bogotá. The fire, which began Saturday on a mountain overlooking the town, had scorched approximately 290 hectares (717 acres) of vegetation by Sunday evening, an area roughly equivalent to 400 soccer fields. Strong winds have hampered efforts to contain the flames, which at times advanced toward populated areas, prompting local authorities to declare an emergency, suspend in-person classes on Monday, and carry out preventive evacuations, including from hotels near the fire.
More than 400 firefighters, emergency workers, residents, and volunteers were involved in the response. Four helicopters conducted about 170 water drops on Sunday, releasing 240,000 liters (63,400 gallons) of water onto the blaze. Preliminary information from the disaster management agency suggests the fire may have been deliberately started, but authorities are still investigating. The Colombian president stated on X that the fire was about 50% controlled and contained on the ground.
Across Colombia, nearly 20 active fires are burning, with authorities monitoring 27 forest fires nationwide. Nine of the active fires are in Tolima, with others spread across the Andean region. Dry conditions, exacerbated by the developing El Niño phenomenon, have increased wildfire danger. Last week, 279 municipalities were under some level of wildfire warning, including 36 at the highest red-alert level, primarily in the Andean and Caribbean regions. Neighboring Ecuador is also experiencing a wave of wildfires, with 12 fires remaining active and over 21,800 hectares burned this year.