The Government has eight aircraft in operation to combat forest fires, which have affected crops and livestock. The flames have mainly affected the departments of Tolima (center), where there are 13, while in Cauca (southwest), there are nine.
The forest fires that have been recorded in the last 14 days in Colombia have consumed 10,945 hectares of forests in seven of the country’s 32 departments, according to a report on Sunday by the state-run National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD).
According to the Unit’s figures, as of Sunday, there are 31 active fires in the country, flames that originate mainly from high temperatures and lack of rain.
The flames have mainly affected the departments of Tolima (center), of which there are 13, while in Cauca (southwest), there are nine.
In Nariño (south) there are three; in Huila (south) and Valle del Cauca (southwest), two; and in Cundinamarca (center), of which Bogotá is the capital, one, the same as in Amazonas (south).
The Disaster Management Unit also reported that five fires, three in Tolima and two in Cundinamarca, were brought under control.
*Read also: EU calls for urgent ceasefire on the Blue Line and in Gaza after escalation of violence
The Government has eight aircraft in operation to fight the fire, which is not only consuming vegetation, but also killing animals and affecting crops.
These aircraft are joined by almost 400 people on the ground, belonging to the fire brigades, forestry brigades, the Red Cross, Civil Defense, the Police and the Army.
The report presented today by the Unit corresponds to the period between September 9 and 22.
Last week, the director of the Ungrd, Carlos Carrillo, proposed a strategy to control forest fires, which consists of using technical fire, that is, creating containment lines to “confine” the flames and be able to control and extinguish them.
The proposed new method of “controlling fire with fire” is not authorized in Colombia, Carrillo said, adding that it must be authorized by presidential decree.
The practice, the official explained, would be used exclusively under specific conditions and requirements and under the command of firefighters, volunteers and aeronauts specialized in the task.
The agency is confident that this strategy will help to deal with the expected wave of forest fires expected in early 2025.
With information from W Radio
Post Views: 108
