A significant forest fire is threatening the tourist town of Villa de Leyva in central Colombia, according to local officials. The blaze is located in the Boyaca department on the San Marcos hillside, overlooking the town known for its colonial architecture.
Colombian authorities report that the fire has consumed approximately 40 hectares of native forest. Smoke from the incident is visible from the town’s central square. President Abelardo de la Espriella stated on social media that the government is mobilizing state resources to protect the area.
To assist in containment efforts, the Boyaca department is deploying two aircraft. Interior Minister Rodrigo Lara confirmed that a military helicopter and firefighting teams from Bogota, Tunja, and Boyaca are being dispatched to the scene to secure the urban center.
The fire is one of 18 active wildfires currently burning across Colombia, according to data from the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management. Officials attribute the intensity of the current wildfire season to a combination of severe drought conditions and the El Nino weather pattern, which has resulted in record-breaking temperatures and a lack of moisture in the region.
Climate scientists note that the current El Nino event is occurring against a backdrop of global warming, which increases the risk of extreme weather events. While some parts of South America are experiencing heavy rainfall, northern regions like Colombia are facing extended periods of drought that have left vegetation vulnerable to fire.
Article source: www.aljazeera.com | Image credit: www.aljazeera.com