From the Guardian · Associated Press in Bogotá · · 1m 40s
Colombia declares public calamity as wildfire spreads
A fire near Villa de Leyva forces evacuations and threatens one of Colombia's best-known colonial towns as dry conditions and El Niño fuel wildfires across the region.
In brief
A fire near Villa de Leyva forces evacuations and threatens one of Colombia's best-known colonial towns as dry conditions and El Niño fuel wildfires across the region. Colombia declared a public calamity as a wildfire near the tourist town of Villa de Leyva burned nearly three hundred hectares and forced evacuations…
Fire threatens colonial town
A wildfire began Saturday on a mountain overlooking Villa de Leyva, a popular tourist destination about one hundred sixty kilometres north-east of Bogotá, Colombia's capital.
Nearly three hundred hectares burned
By Sunday evening, authorities said about two hundred ninety hectares had been affected, an area roughly equivalent to four hundred soccer fields, with the blaze about fifty percent under control.
Evacuations and emergency response
Strong winds complicated containment efforts. Local authorities declared an emergency, suspended in-person classes Monday, and carried out preventive evacuations including at hotels near the fire.
Massive firefighting effort deployed
More than four hundred firefighters, emergency workers, residents and volunteers responded. Four helicopters dropped water on the flames, with aircraft carrying out about one hundred seventy water drops Sunday, releasing two hundred forty thousand litres.
Possible arson under investigation
Fabio Arjona, Colombia's environment minister, said preliminary information suggested the fire may have been deliberately started, but authorities were still investigating the cause.
Wider crisis across the region
Nearly twenty active fires burn across Colombia. El Niño is expected to increase fire danger between October and April, with wildfires and water shortages among the main concerns across the region.
The bottom line
Colombia declared a public calamity as a wildfire near the tourist town of Villa de Leyva burned nearly three hundred hectares and forced evacuations, with authorities investigating whether it was deliberately started.
/file/attachments/2999/41_389608.png)
/file/attachments/orphans/DMXCREATIONAFRICAROLLOUT-POST9-BIO_471227.png)