Alarm sounded in 977 towns across Colombia as raging forest fires spread

By Sinan Dogan

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) – Alarms have been sounded in 977 towns across Colombia as the forest fire raging for days could not be brought under control.

The Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology, and Environmental Studies (IDEAM) announced on Friday that temperatures soared to new records in the country in the last few days, with the fires spreading to new areas.

The fires are affecting many towns in the Cundinamarca administrative region, especially the capital Bogota, the institute said, adding: “Alarm has been declared in 977 towns, and in 681 of these towns, a red alert has been issued.”

The announcement drew attention to the scarcity of rainfall, stating that temperatures are rising, with the risk of fire increasing, and “it is likely that we may have to hear news of new fires.”

The fires are caused by hot and dry conditions linked to the El Nino weather phenomenon, according to officials.

The term El Nino means a warming of the ocean surface, or above-average sea surface temperatures, in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.

According to local media, the US, Chile, Canada, and Peru will send teams to Colombia to help extinguish the fires.

President Gustavo Petro announced on Thursday that they would request international assistance due to the forest fires that have been ongoing and uncontrollable in various regions of the country.

*Writing by Alperen Aktas from Istanbul