The national government maintains a large-scale intervention in the Tolima department to control the vegetation coverage fires affecting various areas of the region.
The containment efforts, coordinated between rescue teams and the Public Force, show significant progress in extinguishing the flames, while investigations have been opened to determine if some fires were started deliberately.
Regarding the progress of the tasks on the ground and the ongoing hypotheses, President Abelardo De La Espriella reported on his official X account: “Over the past three days we have deployed a joint operation in the affected areas, with 306 people, including 182 firefighters, as well as members of the Civil Defense, Red Cross, Aerospace Force, Police Aviation, and Army Aviation. We are currently monitoring 13 events or sectors.”
The work of these brigades has begun to yield the first results: “in scenarios with comparable information, the average operational progress (fire control) went from approximately 39% to 68%, and the fires in Alvarado, Villahermosa, Rovira, Chaparral, and Coyaima have reached 99% progress (almost extinguished),” stated the President of Colombia
Criminal hands in the Tolima fires?
The municipalities currently presenting the main emergencies due to these forest fires in Tolima are Suárez, Carmen de Apicalá, Armero Guayabal, Venadillo, Coello, Guamo, and San Luis.
In this regard, De la Espriella stated that “the order is clear: protect life, contain the fire, defend our natural resources, and not lower our guard until the definitive extinguishing of each fire is achieved.”
On the other hand, the head of state revealed that he has given the order to authorities to confirm if there are premeditated actions by unscrupulous individuals: “at the same time, we are corroborating evidence that there may be criminal hands behind some of these fires and their reactivation. I have ordered a thorough investigation. If it is confirmed that they were deliberately caused, we will pursue those responsible and bring them to justice. It is a crime that will not go unpunished,” he emphasized.
This Sunday, August 23, containment efforts continue with the multidisciplinary action of various national and local entities: “My recognition and gratitude to our firefighters, Public Force, rescue organizations and communities who are fighting the flames. You are not alone. Colombia is with Tolima,” concluded President De la Espriella.
*Note made with AI support, reviewed by a journalist