The governor of Colombia’s Tolima province, Adriana Matiz, stated on Tuesday that criminal organizations may be responsible for a series of devastating forest fires that have consumed nearly 30,000 hectares (74,131 acres) of land in the central region throughout the month. Matiz indicated that there are “serious clues” pointing toward sabotage, prompting her to file a formal complaint with the nation’s attorney general.
Evidence cited by the governor includes video footage captured by local residents, which appears to show individuals on motorcycles deliberately igniting fires in several areas. Additionally, a report issued by a local fire department confirmed that gasoline was utilized to ignite at least one of the blazes. Matiz suggested that armed groups might be orchestrating these fires as a tactical distraction to draw law enforcement away from specific strategic zones where criminal entities derive profit from illegal gold mining.
The impact of the fires has been significant for the local economy. According to regional government data, 50 homes and approximately 8,000 hectares of farmland have been destroyed. While there have been no reported deaths, the agricultural sector faces a severe outlook. “We have people who lost all of their corn crop, or their lemons. People who have no way to feed their cattle,” Matiz noted, adding that the region is bracing for a substantial economic crisis.
President Abelardo de la Espriella addressed the crisis in a message on X on Monday, expressing alarm that the fires may have been set intentionally and confirming that he has directed law enforcement to launch an investigation. Furthermore, the president has reached out to the governments of the United States and Chile to request assistance in combating the flames.
Environmental conditions in the region have exacerbated the situation. Data from the provincial environmental agency, Cortolima, reveals that temperatures in Tolima have been unusually high this month, peaking more than 2 degrees Celsius above average, while rainfall levels have dropped 30% below typical norms. Similar forest fire incidents have been reported across other Colombian provinces, including Boyaca, Narino, Valle del Cauca, and Cundinamarca.
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