Colombia records large forest fires on more than 1,200 hectares

Published at: 31/03/2024 04:30 PM

Colombia's National Disaster Risk Management Unit (UNGRD) reported on Saturday that the forest fire that broke out more than 72 hours ago in the municipality of San Onofre, department of Sucre, has affected around 1,200 hectares.

The accident, which occurred in the Palmira la Negra district, threatens to spread to the Montes de María, an important mountain range that connects the departments of Sucre and Bolívar, so firefighters have been called in from other nearby municipalities, such as Tolú, Tolú Viejo and Ovejas, as well as members of the Air Force.

It transpired that there are 11 machines on the ground that carry out tasks to mitigate the fire, but according to statements by the UNGRD advisor, Diego Mercado, more machinery would be needed to mitigate the flames. “As long as they don't send us more relief agencies with more water, the Mountains of María are going to burn.”

In addition, the governor of Sucre, Lucy García Montes, asked the National Government for greater air support and the Office of the Ombudsman also called for “articulating institutional efforts in order to control the forest fire and to safeguard the life and integrity of the peasant community of the Palmira La Negra district.”

According to the authorities, the cause of the fires is the burning carried out by farmers in the area with the objective of gaining ground in the jungle for cultivation in the face of soil saturation. So far in 2024, more than 68,000 hectares have been affected by forest fires, with more than 1,200 accidents registered across the country.

Mazo News Team/TELESUR