A significant forest fire has emerged in central Colombia near Villa de Leyva, a historic town in Boyaca department that draws over a million visitors annually. The wildfire has already destroyed 40 hectares of native forest on the San Marcos hillside, with smoke plumes visible from the town’s central plaza according to regional authorities.
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella announced via social media that the state would mobilize all available resources to suppress the fire and protect the colonial town. The Boyaca department government is deploying two aircraft for firefighting operations, while a military helicopter and firefighter teams from Bogota and the Tunja region are being sent to reinforce local crews and protect the urban area, according to Interior Minister Rodrigo Lara.
Forest fires typically occur during the Andean dry season, but current conditions are being exacerbated by severe weather patterns. The region is experiencing record temperatures and reduced precipitation that have created extremely flammable vegetation across vast areas. Colombia’s National Unit for Disaster Risk Management reports 18 active wildfires currently burning across the country.
Experts attribute the intensified fire conditions to a combination of natural weather systems and longer-term climate trends. The severe drought conditions affecting Colombia contrast with heavy rainfall expected in southern South American nations during this period. Scientists note that while such weather patterns occur naturally, their effects are being amplified by warming ocean temperatures and broader climate change, potentially pushing communities and ecosystems beyond historical experience levels.
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