Fires in Colombia destroyed more than 1,000 hectares in 18 days
Internet
Published at: 19/08/2026 11:31 AM
During the first 18 days of August, the Colombian department of Cundinamarca recorded 1,999 hectares burned in 48 municipalities, representing 65% of all the area affected by forest fires in that state during 2026, environmental authorities reported.
The Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM) warned that the strengthening of the El Niño phenomenon will maintain high temperatures and the reduction of rainfall, with the risk of intensifying the situation starting in September.
The authorities dealt with 161 emergencies during the current month, a figure that is equivalent to 28.5% of the total number of fires registered in the department so far this year, although they confirmed that there are no active sources in the area.
IDEAM noted that adverse weather conditions, associated with the warming of the Pacific Ocean, could aggravate the scenario in the coming weeks, keeping fire departments and risk management agencies in the region on alert.
Mazo News Team