Iguaque Sanctuary forest fire contained in Boyacá

Authorities have successfully contained a major forest fire that affected 1,480 hectares in the Iguaque Fauna and Flora Sanctuary and parts of Villa de Leyva. Of the total area impacted, 1,180 hectares were within the protected sanctuary.

The firefighting effort involved over 700 personnel, including volunteers, firefighters, police, soldiers, and members of the Aerospace Force, alongside organizations such as Parques Nacionales Naturales and Corpoboyacá. Aerial operations included 335 drone flights and 335 aircraft sorties, resulting in 1,023 water drops totaling approximately 1.6 million liters. Additionally, 126,000 liters of water were delivered via tankers.

Following the full control of the blaze, the Government of Boyacá has transitioned into the restoration phase, which will focus on ash control and the recovery of the affected ecological zones.