Forest fires sweep through Colombia

Firefighters try to extinguish the fire in the forests of Bogota. Photo: Diego Cuevas/Getty Images South America

Wildfires have destroyed more than 17,000 hectares in Colombia since November, authorities said Friday, as the country faces its hottest January in decades.

More than 340 fires were reported during the period, fueled by prolonged drought, record heat and El Niño weather, Environment Minister Susana Muhamad said, adding that 26 fires were still burning.

Colombia has been battling fires since Monday several fires near the capital, including in the mountains overlooking Bogotá, and authorities advised residents living near burned areas not to go outside due to poor air quality.

Today “we have a fire in Nevada del Cocuy,” a natural park with snow-capped peaks about 250 kilometers (155 miles) northeast of Bogota, Ms. Muhamad told a news conference.

A firefighter extinguishes a forest fire in Nemocon. Photo: LUIS ACOSTA/AFP

She added that the flames were «quite high». ” in the park, so a helicopter was deployed to assess the situation.

One of the fires is burning about 900 meters from the eastern neighborhood of El Paraiso in Bogota.

Smoke over central Bogotá visible from the El Paraiso neighborhood Photo: Diego Cuevas/Getty Images South America

Some residents affected by the smoke were receiving assistance, the Colombian Red Cross in Bogotá said posted on the social network X (formerly Twitter) along with photos of emergency workers helping a masked man.

Gustavo Petro, Colombia's president, declared a disaster this week, authorizing the release of funds. distract from other budget items to contain fires and asked for international help.