Twelve wildfires still burning in Tolima, Caldas and Huila as El Niño conditions persist
Colombia's disaster agency says 12 active wildfires remain in three departments even after authorities extinguished 84 fires over the past week, with ongoing heat and drought keeping rural areas and tourism zones at risk.
Colombia's National Unit for Disaster Risk Management reported on Monday that 12 wildfires remain active across three departments: 10 in Tolima and one each in Caldas and Huila. The blazes are being driven by persistent El Niño-related heat and drought conditions.
The agency noted that 84 fires were extinguished over the previous seven days, a significant effort by firefighting teams, but the continuing blazes are raising concerns about air quality and rural livelihoods in the affected regions.
For travelers, the ongoing fires also affect access to natural areas in those departments that are important destinations for domestic tourism. Visitors planning trips to the coffee and Andean regions are advised to monitor conditions before heading out.
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Reportado por El Paisa, nuestro corresponsal colombiano.
