[REVISION HISTORY]

Colombia forest fire and earthquake response

Updated 4 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-14 00:20 UTC → 2026-08-14 06:08 UTC · added ~~removed~~

By 13 August, the situation in Nariño escalated as authorities officially declared a state of public calamity and manifest urgency. Approximately 150 fires have affected 29 municipalities, impacting over 1,800 hectares. These blazes threaten rural communities, crops, livestock, and vital water sources in municipalities including Los Andes Sotomayor, Ancuya, Santacruz, Linares, La Llanada, and Guaitarilla. Difficult terrain and limited access have complicated efforts in sectors such as Los Tanques, Bella Florida, and Guáitara. To address the crisis, the Nariño government is investing over 3.5 billion pesos to equip 32 volunteer fire departments with specialized tools, uniforms, and forest kits. A departmental immediate reaction brigade will also be established to assist municipalities when local capacities are overwhelmed, with a Unified Command Post set to coordinate actions in Santacruz. In Tolima, the administration is evaluating a similar declaration of public calamity to manage 38 active forest fires across 18 municipalities. Governor Adriana Matiz has established a virtual Unified Command Post to coordinate institutional responses. The situation in Tolima is being exacerbated by high temperatures, strong winds, and dry soil conditions, leading to urgent requests for specialized supplies such as water pumps and respiratory masks. As of 13 August, Colombia is facing a dual humanitarian and environmental crisis. While battling widespread forest fires triggered by the El Niño phenomenon, the country is also recovering from a major earthquake on 10 August. The earthquake caused significant destruction, including building collapses and hundreds of fatalities across Valle del Cauca, Quindío, Risaralda, Caldas, and Chocó. The forest fire crisis has expanded, with approximately 340 municipalities under red alert and over 7,200 hectares of vegetation consumed. High-risk areas include Cesar, Norte de Santander, Antioquia, and Nariño.

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