Colombian officials say criminal groups could have set Tolima forest fires
Summary
Officials in Colombia’s Tolima province said criminal groups may have started some forest fires that burned nearly 30,000 hectares of land this month. Local videos show people setting fires, and authorities believe the fires might distract police from illegal gold mining activities.Key Facts
- Almost 30,000 hectares (74,131 acres) have burned in Tolima province this month.
- The governor, Adriana Matiz, suspects criminal groups deliberately caused some fires.
- Videos show men on motorcycles starting fires, and gasoline was reportedly used in one.
- The fires may serve as a distraction for illegal activities near gold mines.
- President Abelardo de la Espriella has asked law enforcement to investigate and sought help from the US and Chile to fight the fires.
- Temperatures in Tolima have been unusually high, and rainfall has been 30% lower than normal this month.
- Fires have also affected other Colombian provinces, including Cundinamarca, Valle del Cauca, Nariño, and Boyacá.
- The fires destroyed 50 homes and nearly 8,000 hectares of farmland, leading to crop losses and economic problems but no deaths so far.
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