Colombia Declares a Public Calamity as a Wildfire Rips Toward Villa De Leyva – WTOP News
Authorities said the blaze was about 50% under control after forcing evacuations and burning roughly 290 hectares, officials said.
- A wildfire continued burning Monday on the San Marcos hillside above Villa de Leyva, Colombia, after consuming about 200 hectares of native forest, with officials reporting the blaze was about 50% under control.
- This year, an intensified El Niño weather pattern and extreme drought have created tinderbox conditions across the Andean region, fueling nearly 20 active wildfires throughout Colombia during the dry season.
- About 250 local firefighters and residents joined professional crews to combat the flames, while Boyaca Governor Carlos Amaya reported aircraft carried out about 170 water drops Sunday, releasing some 240,000 liters.
- Local authorities declared an emergency Monday, suspending in-person classes and carrying out preventive evacuations for hotels near the fire, which remains visible from Villa de Leyva's central square.
- Colombian President Abelardo pledged to mobilize all state resources to protect "this historical jewel," as Interior Minister Rodrigo Lara confirmed military helicopters and firefighters from Bogota and Tunja are reinforcing containment efforts.
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63 Articles
Colombia declares a public calamity as a wildfire rips toward Villa de Leyva – WTOP News
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombian authorities declared a public calamity as a wildfire burned through mountains surrounding one of the country’s best-known colonial towns in the northeast, scorching large swaths of vegetation and forcing evacuations. Nearly 20 active fires are burning across the South American country. Dry conditions have increased fire danger in Colombia as...
Colombia declares a public calamity as a wildfire rips toward Villa de
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombian authorities declared a public calamity as a wildfire burned through mountains surrounding one of the country’s best-known colonial towns in the northeast, scorching large swaths of vegetation and forcing evacuations. Nearly 20
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Colombia declares a public calamity as a wildfire rips toward Villa de Leyva
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombian authorities declared a public calamity as a wildfire burned through mountains surrounding one of the country’s best-known colonial towns in the northeast, scorching large swaths of vegetation and forcing evacuations.
At this time, four helicopters make aerial discharges to mitigate the fire, which has consumed 290 hectares of Mount San Marcos. The post Villa de Leyva: fire is controlled in 50%. There are 19 assets in the country appeared first on La Silla Empty.
Leyva, which welcomes one million visitors each year, is at risk of a fire with the effects of El Niño
A forest fire has been raging across Cerro San Marcos in Villa de Leyva, Boyacá, Colombia, since Saturday (September 19, 2026), threatening residential areas and surrounding tourist destinations. The fire spread amidst dry vegetation and strong winds, complicating extinguishing efforts. More than 80 hectares of vegetation were reportedly affected, while hundreds of firefighters, security personnel, and volunteers were deployed to control the fir…
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