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Tolima faces massive forest fires destroying 20,000 hectares
The department of Tolima, Colombia, is facing a severe environmental emergency due to widespread forest fires. Authorities report that more than 20,000 hectares of forest and agricultural crops have been destroyed across at least 13 municipalities. The Council of Risk Management has declared a state of public calamity in response to the crisis.
Several municipalities, including Coello, are under red alert. The fires have threatened residential areas and critical infrastructure, specifically the National Police Training School (CENOP) in San Luis. High temperatures, reaching up to 40.8 degrees Celsius, and difficult terrain have complicated firefighting efforts, making it hard to transport water and equipment to remote areas.
A massive multi-regional response is underway. Over 150 firefighters are currently active on the ground, with additional reinforcements arriving from Bogotá, Valle del Cauca, Huila, Antioquia, and Boyacá. The Colombian Air Force and the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) are providing aerial support, including the use of Bambi Buckets to combat the flames in high-altitude and hard-to-reach sectors.
Entities
Adriana Magali Matiz · CENOP · Ministry of the Interior · National Firefighters Directorate · National Police Training School · National Unit for Disaster Risk Management · Rodrigo Lara · Tolima
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Forest fires in Tolima have consumed more than 20,000 hectares of forest and crops. lapatria.bo · rpp.pe
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Departmental Risk Management Council declared a state of public calamity. lapatria.bo · rpp.pe
- [● 2 SOURCES] Firefighters from Bogotá, Valle del Cauca, Huila, Antioquia, and Boyacá have been deployed to assist. www.elnuevodia.com.co · periodismopublico.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The National Police Training School (CENOP) in San Luis issued an alert due to the proximity of the flames. lapatria.bo · rpp.pe
- [● 2 SOURCES] Four municipalities in Tolima are under red alert. lapatria.bo · rpp.pe
- [● 2 SOURCES] More than 150 firefighters are working to control the active fires. elnuevodiario.com.do · rpp.pe
- [● 2 SOURCES] The fires are affecting at least 13 municipalities in Tolima. lapatria.bo · rpp.pe
- [● 2 SOURCES] Temperatures in the affected areas have reached 40.8 degrees Celsius. lapatria.bo · elnuevodiario.com.do