Bogotá, Colombia — The heart of Colombia trembles, not with the beat of its people, but with the crackling fires that devour its lands. As of September 26, 2024, at 6:30 p.m., eleven wildfires burn unchecked, their flames swallowing more than 7,000 hectares across five departments. These fires — fierce, unrelenting — speak of devastation, but also of the resilience rising to meet it.
Nature’s Fury Unleashed in Colombia
In Tolima, Cauca, Huila, Nariño, and Valle del Cauca, the earth has become a battlefield, where fire meets forest and farmland. 7,029 hectares of green land have turned to ash, leaving behind only the bones of what once grew and thrived. The names of these regions now carry weight, like the names of loved ones whispered in prayers — their future uncertain as the flames press forward.
Tolima, a department known for its fertile land and rich culture, stands among the most affected. In towns like Natagaima, Melgar, San Luis, and Ortega, fires have consumed fields that once fed families and nourished livelihoods. Here, the flames do not just touch the trees and soil; they touch lives. Adriana Matiz, governor of Tolima, has raised her voice, pleading for help from the National Government, hoping that aid will arrive before the fires take more than the land.
The Battle to Control the Blaze
But even in the face of this inferno, Colombia does not stand alone. 109 firefighters, the nation’s first line of defense, battle day and night, their sweat mixing with the ash that falls from the sky. Alongside them, seven units of the Colombian Red Cross, 23 units from Civil Defense, 21 from Ponalsar, and 59 from Briad join in the fight, each breath taken in smoke-filled air a testament to their resolve.
Above the smoke, three aircraft slice through the sky, dropping precious water over the land, fighting fire with all that we have. But the dry winds carry the flames faster than human hands can douse them. It is a struggle not only against the fire itself but against the climate that has turned so cruel, a dry spell that makes every spark a threat.
Tolima’s Call for Urgent Action
Tolima, a region of green hills and valleys, now finds itself under siege by flames. The people in Natagaima, Melgar, San Luis, and Ortega watch as their homes, fields, and forests disappear in a thick veil of smoke. Adriana Matiz, the governor of Tolima, has raised an urgent call, her words filled with the weight of desperation: “We need the National Government’s help.” The fire does not discriminate — it destroys all in its path, leaving behind scars on the land and the hearts of those who call it home.
How Can We Prevent the Next Fire?
The Governor of Cundinamarca has offered wisdom, urging citizens to remember that preventing fires is within our power. Small actions can stop devastation before it begins. “Do not toss cigarettes or matches carelessly,” the advice reads, reminding us that a single ember can ignite a tragedy. “Avoid fireworks and burning waste in dry areas,” for even joy can turn to sorrow when flames are involved.
We are urged to carry emergency tools: a hose, an ax, a bucket of water — these are no longer items of convenience but symbols of survival. And above all, to report the first sign of smoke, to dial 123, for even a spark can grow into an inferno if left unchecked.
Fires Today, Solutions Tomorrow
The fires burn today, but they need not rage tomorrow. Climate, carelessness, and human actions have all played a part in this devastation, but it is within our power to change. As Colombia burns, let us remember that it is our responsibility to protect this land, to cherish it as we would a loved one. The scars on the earth today should not be the scars we leave for tomorrow.
