Colombia has launched a call for international help to deal with around thirty forest fires, including several around the capital Bogotá, that affected air quality and traffic at the international airport on Thursday.
• Also read: Tinder and scopolamine: tourists targeted by a deadly cocktail in Colombia
Speaking to the press, President Gustavo Petro said he had “activated the protocols for requesting international assistance” as the country faced 31 fires in five regions of the country that destroyed around 600 hectares of forest on Wednesday.
According to the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (Ideam), 87% of the country is at “maximum risk” of fires.
AFP
Mr. Petro also noted that the United States, Chile, Peru and Canada have already responded positively to Colombia's requests for help in containing the spread of the flames.
In Bogotá, more than 300 firefighters, soldiers and rescuers are fighting to contain three separate outbreaks around the capital of eight million people.
Bogota Mayor Carlos Fernando Galan called on “the population around the fire areas to wear protective masks” and announced the closure of schools and a university affected by the smoke.
AFP
The Civil Aviation Authority said operations at Latin America's largest airport terminal by cargo volume were operating “with restrictions” due to smoke and morning haze, but the situation was being “normalized.”
About 138 flights were affected by delays on Thursday morning, including 48 canceled and 16 diverted to other airports.
City hall recommended avoiding outdoor exercise, closing windows and placing damp towels on the bottom of doors in certain areas.
“It really smells like smoke. You can even feel it running down your throat,” Blanca Galindo, a 69-year-old street vendor, told AFP at the foot of the mountains on the border with Bogota, where many people wear protective masks.
AFP
Wild animals, birds, squirrels and raccoons were observed seeking shelter in urban areas.
Colombia is known for its biodiversity and is under the influence of the El Niño climate phenomenon with record levels of heat, drought and fires.
Ideam said nine municipalities in the north, center and east of the country recorded record temperatures of up to 40.4C on Tuesday, with January typically the coolest month of the year.
“There are currently 62 municipalities in a situation of water scarcity, that is, where the fresh water capacity is equal to or lower than the needs of the population,” Mr. Petro emphasized.
Since the beginning of November, 336 forest fires have been registered in 174 communities. According to the Colombian civil protection agency, at least 6,618 hectares of vegetation were destroyed.