Colombia Declares Disaster Situation Due to Widespread Wildfires

The Crisis Unfolds

Colombia is currently facing a dire situation as wildfires continue to ravage several parts of the country, prompting President Gustavo Petro to declare a 'situation of disaster and calamity.' The severity of the crisis has led to the redirection of funds from other purposes to address the urgent need for resources in combating the fires. The government's plea for international assistance has garnered responses from countries including the United States, Chile, Peru, and Canada, with a particular emphasis on Canada's extensive experience in firefighting.

The escalating wildfires are attributed to the prevailing hot and dry conditions, which have been linked to the El Niño weather phenomenon. This weather pattern is expected to persist for the coming months, posing a prolonged challenge for Colombia. President Petro emphasized the gravity of the situation, describing it as a 'climate crisis' that is projected to worsen in the near future. The abnormal rise in temperatures, ranging from 5 to 10 degrees Celsius above normal, has exacerbated the impact of the fires, with temperatures in many areas surpassing the mid to upper 30s C (upper 90s to low 100s F).

The National Disaster Risk Management Unit reported a total of 25 active fires, with efforts to control and extinguish them underway. Despite progress in managing the fires, the pervasive smoke has created significant challenges, leading to the cancellation of flights in the capital city of Bogota. The adverse impact of the smoke and fog on visibility prompted operational restrictions at the El Dorado airport, resulting in the cancellation and rerouting of numerous flights. The Civil Aviation Authority of Colombia highlighted the composition of the phenomenon, estimating it to be 70% fog and 30% smoke, further underscoring the complexities of the crisis.