Colombia declared a catastrophe on Thursday as wildfires raged across the country, with the president warning that circumstances might worsen.
Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro proclaimed a “situation of disaster and calamity,” informing reporters that monies previously granted for other uses are being redirected to address the problem.
He added that the government is also looking for international assistance, adding that the United States, Chile, Peru, and Canada, “which has enormous experience [fighting fires],” have reacted to the request. Petro stated that he is also seeking the cooperation of the United Nations and the European Union.
Colombia Declares A Disaster Due To Wildfires As It Calls For International Help
Officials blame the flames on hot and dry conditions caused by El Niño. El Niño will last a few months, terminating during the Northern Hemisphere spring.
Petro cautioned that the situation, which he called a “climate crisis,” will worsen. “We are going towards an increasingly difficult stage,” he said.
Temperatures over parts of the country have been 5 to 10 degrees Celsius higher than normal in recent days and weeks. Many sites are in the mid to upper 30s Celsius (upper 90s to low 100s Fahrenheit) following months of above-average temperatures throughout the region.
Colombia Declares A Disaster Due To Wildfires As It Calls For International Help
The National Disaster Risk Management Unit reported at least 25 active fires on Thursday. The agency reported that 10 are under control, and 217 have been extinguished.
Billowing smoke has swamped several sections of the country, causing flights to be cancelled in the capital, Bogota.
On Thursday morning, El Dorado airport had limited operations because of smoke and fog.
Colombia Declares A Disaster Due To Wildfires As It Calls For International Help
“We estimate that the phenomenon is composed of 70% fog and 30% smoke,” the Colombian Civil Aviation Authority stated on X.
The authority claimed that at least 138 flights were disrupted, with 48 cancelled and 16 redirected to other airports.
SOURCE – CNN
