Colombia Declares Calamity as Wildfire Threatens Colonial Tourist Town of Villa de Leyva
Colombian officials declared a public calamity as a wildfire burned through the mountains around Villa de Leyva, a well-known colonial tourist town in the north-east, scorching large stretches of vegetation and forcing evacuations.
The fire, about 160km north-east of Bogotá, started Saturday on a mountain overlooking the town. By Sunday evening, authorities said roughly 290 hectares had been affected and the blaze was about 50% under control. Strong winds complicated containment efforts, with flames at times moving toward populated areas. Local authorities declared an emergency, suspended in-person classes Monday and carried out preventive evacuations, including at hotels near the fire.
More than 400 firefighters, emergency workers, residents and volunteers joined the response, while four helicopters dropped water. Boyacá governor Carlos Amaya said aircraft made about 170 water drops Sunday, releasing 240,000 liters. President Abelardo de la Espriella said on X the fire was about 50% controlled and contained on the ground.
Environment minister Fabio Arjona said preliminary information suggested the fire may have been deliberately started, but authorities were still investigating.
Nearly 20 active fires are burning across Colombia as dry conditions raise fire danger ahead of El Niño. The national disaster agency said 27 forest fires were being monitored, 19 active and eight under control, with nine active fires in Tolima. The weather agency said 279 municipalities were under wildfire warnings, 36 at the highest red-alert level. Between 16 June and 6 August, Colombia recorded 438 forest fires in 191 municipalities, affecting about 7,153 hectares.
Neighboring Ecuador is also battling wildfires. Its risk management agency said 12 fires remained active Sunday, with more than 21,800 hectares burned this year. A fire on the slopes of the Imbabura volcano burned about 300 hectares before being brought under control Sunday after three days.
El Niño, a periodic warming of the tropical Pacific, can reduce rainfall and raise temperatures, helping fires spread. Disaster officials expect the greatest regional risk between October and April, with wildfires and water shortages among the main concerns.