Colombia Wildfire Crisis
Wildfire threatens historic Colombian tourist town as emergency crews battle growing flames
Anonymous
A wildfire on Cerro San Marcos near Colombia’s tourist town of Villa de Leyva had affected an estimated 70 hectares by Sunday, up from more than 40 hectares reported the previous night, as strong winds and steep terrain hampered containment. Authorities deployed three aircraft, including a military helicopter, and more than 190 emergency personnel, while firefighters from Bogotá and nearby municipalities reinforced local crews. Officials prepared for further evacuations as the blaze threatened residents, natural areas and the town’s historic district, which attracts more than a million visitors annually. The UNGRD said the fire may have been deliberately started, but the cause remained under investigation and no suspect had been identified. Colombia’s president pledged state support, while officials linked the broader surge in wildfires to dry conditions, high temperatures and El Niño intensified by climate change.
Key Points
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The fire reportedly began at about 2 p.m. Saturday in the La Marmolera sector of Cerro San Marcos and continued spreading through steep terrain and strong winds.
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The Government of Boyaca said roughly 30% of the blaze was under control on Saturday night, before the affected area expanded to about 70 hectares by Sunday.
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The Defensoria del Pueblo warned Saturday night that the fire was advancing rapidly and called for urgent air support, noting that aerial water drops could not be carried out at night.
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Colombia had 18 active wildfires at the time, according to the latest official data from the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management, underscoring the national scale of the emergency.
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Smoke from the blaze was visible from Villa de Leyva’s central square, according to Colombian authorities.
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