At the end of the week, Colombia’s human rights ombudsman called on the authorities in high-risk areas without fires to take preventative measures as 34 blazes continued to burn across the Andean country.
Earlier, the government, led by leftist President Gustavo Petro, announced plans to declare a natural disaster to free up resources to tackle the fires that have been devastating Colombia. The dry season has been worsened by a strong El Nino, a weather phenomenon that typically causes hotter and dryer conditions.
Colombia and eight other South American countries have been affected by a drought in their Amazon regions, attributed to climate change by scientists.
The human rights ombudsman’s office urged the government to prioritize strengthening Colombia’s disaster response agencies.
Ombudsman Carlos Camargo stated, “We urge the government to strengthen the logistical and operational capacities of official fire departments, as well as to carry out careful monitoring of all territorial entities in their functions related to the availability and operation of resources essential for risk management.”
According to the ombudsman’s office, half of Colombia’s 32 provinces do not have an official fire department.
Since the beginning of the year, around 319 forest fires have occurred in Colombia, with 273 having been put out, averaging around 10 per day, according to a document obtained by Reuters.
The fires have resulted in the destruction of numerous hectares of forest and moorland, with severe consequences for wildlife and vegetation, as stated by environmental authorities.
While 11 fires are categorized as under control, 34 continue to rage, the document indicated. Active fires were reported in national park Tuparro in Colombia’s Vichada province and in the mountains bordering the east of Bogota.
Smoke from the burning mountains descended into the capital as helicopters carrying water flew overhead on missions to combat the fires.
Earlier in the week, the Environment Ministry warned that almost 1,000 municipalities throughout the country were on alert due to the risk of fires, with over half of them on red alert.
(Reporting by Oliver Griffin; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
