Wildfires in Colombia: Over​ 5,000 Hectares of Forests ⁣Affected

Colombia’s ⁤Huila department ‌has been severely affected ​by ⁤wildfires, with over‌ 5,000 hectares of forests consumed by flames in two ⁢municipalities, according to the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD).

The UNGRD reported that three other active⁤ fires​ are currently burning in the towns of ⁤Aipe,‍ La Plata, and Neiva, the capital ‍of the department. Additionally, eight fires are​ active ‍in Tolima, two in Cauca, and one in the neighboring⁤ Valle del ​Cauca, totaling 15⁢ fires across ‍the country.

The operational entities of the National⁣ Disaster Risk Management System (SNGRD) ⁣are working tirelessly to⁢ protect communities⁣ and ⁢mitigate the impact of these ⁤devastating fires.

In response ⁣to ‍the National Government’s call to action, the UNGRD and⁢ the National Personnel Recovery Center (CENRP) are coordinating efforts with the ‌Colombian Air Force to combat‍ the fires in Huila.

A plane was dispatched⁤ from Bogotá to Palermo, equipped⁢ with 20 containers from the Guardian ⁣Caylym System and ‍12 experts to ⁣fight the⁤ fire. ⁢The 4th Air Fighter Command ⁤also ⁢activated a Bell⁤ 206-Ranger for evaluation and a Huey II with the Bambi Bucket system for precision drops.

Priority is being given ⁣to preventing water and liquid spills in areas where farms, schools, homes, ​and⁤ indigenous communities are at risk.

Although the origin of ⁣the fires has not been reported, authorities are working to contain the situation. Colombia‌ has been⁤ experiencing high temperatures for weeks, ‍and according ​to⁣ the Institute of Hydrology,‌ Meteorology and​ Environmental Studies‍ (Ideam),‌ lower rainfall than usual has been‌ recorded‌ in much of the country.

However, the Ideam forecasts an increase in rainfall above normal ⁣amounts ⁣for the months of October and November, particularly in the Caribbean, Andes, and Pacific regions.