International News: More than 17,000 hectares destroyed in Colombia forest fires

By Zoila Palma Gonzalez: Since November last year, forest fires have destroyed over 17,000 hectares in Colombia.

According to the Associated French Press, the country is experiencing the hottest January in years.

Environment Minister Susana Muhamad indicated that more than 300 fires have been reported since then spurred by prolonged drought, record heat, and the El Nino weather phenomenon.

Firefighters in Colombia continue to battle the fires near Bogota and have advised residents living close to burnt areas to avoid going outside because of the poor air quality.

“Today, we have a fire in the Nevada del Cocuy,” a natural park with snow-capped peaks about 250 kilometres (155 miles) northeast of Bogota, Muhamad said.

She added that the flames were at a “quite high” point in the park, so a helicopter had been deployed to assess the situation.

President Gustavo Petro has since declared a natural disaster, allowing funds to be diverted from other budget items towards containing the blazes, and appealed for international aid.

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