Forest Fires in Colombia: President Requests International Aid

Forest fires rage in Colombia, prompting the country's president to request international assistance, including help from the UN. This was reported by the Associated Press.

The nation is struggling to control fires that have been recorded across dozens of regions. Authorities predict that the crisis will continue into February and March due to heat. Currently, there are 31 fires registered, with only 9 under control. The forests are burning in the mountains surrounding cities, including the capital, Bogotá.

Approximately half of Colombia's inhabited areas are in a state of maximum preparedness due to the risk of fire outbreaks. Notably, about a third of all municipalities lack firefighting services. Authorities have not yet issued mandatory evacuation orders.

The government expects the situation to worsen in the coming days as hot and dry weather persists. The rise in temperatures and lack of precipitation are attributed to the El Niño phenomenon, which involves the warming of equatorial waters in the Pacific Ocean.

According to Colombian President Gustavo Petro, countries such as Chile, Peru, the United States, and Canada have already responded to the call for aid. However, he did not specify when assistance would arrive in the country.

For now, local services are working on fire suppression, with over 600 soldiers and aircraft dispatched to the areas affected.