Colombia Declares Disaster as Wildfires Spread: International Aid Requested
Colombia has declared a state of disaster as wildfires continue to ravage the country. With warm, dry conditions linked to the El Niño weather phenomenon, authorities anticipate that the situation may worsen in the coming days. As a result, the government has reached out for international help to combat the relentless blaze.
Officials have reported an increase in the number of fires, now totaling 31, with nine of them under control. Despite some fires burning in the mountainous regions surrounding certain municipalities, no mandatory evacuations have been ordered. President Gustavo Petro announced that Chile, the United States, Peru, and Canada have already responded to the call for assistance, but the exact timeline for their aid to arrive in Colombia remains unspecified. Additionally, the government has sought aid from the United Nations and the European Union.
In light of the expected escalation of the crisis in the coming weeks, President Petro emphasized the need for physical capacity to address and mitigate the wildfires effectively. Colombia's Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology, and Environmental Studies has placed approximately half of the country's municipalities on maximum alert due to the high risk of fire. However, it is concerning to note that roughly one-third of all municipalities lack a fire department, as reported by the National Fire Department of Colombia.
The worsening wildfire situation is attributed to the effects of the El Niño weather pattern, characterized by decreased rainfall and rising temperatures. This temporary warming of parts of the central Pacific affects weather patterns worldwide, leading to drier conditions in Colombia.
In response to the crisis, the government has reallocated funds to tackle the wildfires. The army has deployed over 600 soldiers and deployed aircraft and vehicles to the affected areas. Meanwhile, the police are utilizing authorized planes to spray water and fire retardant chemicals over the affected regions, including the mountains surrounding Bogota, the capital city.
The scale of the wildfires and the potential for further spread have prompted Colombia to seek international assistance to combat the devastating consequences of this natural disaster. With the support of other nations and organizations, the hope is to bring the situation under control and minimize the damage caused by these destructive fires.
