The fire does not give a break in Antioquia: operatives are deployed in several municipalities to curb the flames

Governor Jorge Emilio Rey Ángel of Cundinamarca has issued a warning about ongoing wildfires threatening both vegetation and homes in several areas of the department. As of Saturday, August 15, emergency services are actively working to contain three environmental emergencies in different regions. The situation is being exacerbated by extreme heat and strong winds, which have made containment efforts more challenging. The governor emphasized that mitigation efforts are being carried out in coordination with fire departments and municipal authorities, focusing primarily on municipalities with active hotspots and high potential for expansion. One such area is the province of Gualivá, where a wildfire erupted due to the improper use of pyrotechnics during a funeral procession in the Alto de Minas area of La Vega municipality on Thursday, August 13. The dry vegetation and crosswinds quickly turned the spark into a wall of fire over the mountain. Despite the efforts of local communities and firefighters, the rugged terrain and limited access via land have complicated containment operations. A house was completely destroyed in this area, though it was unoccupied at the time, preventing any casualties or serious injuries. Ground operations are currently supported by continuous water supply from tankers, while aerial operations remain contingent on approval from local fire departments and flight plans. In another part of the region, the situation in the Bajo Magdalena province shows signs of improvement. In the villages of Palenque and Barrial Amarillo within Caparrapí municipality, rescue teams have achieved significant progress in containing the flames. According to recent reports from government authorities, this specific wildfire has been controlled in approximately 80 percent of its extent. Preliminary estimates indicate that around 20 hectares of natural coverage have been affected. While there have been no reports of damage to residential infrastructure or injured individuals, firefighters caution that partial control does not equate to complete elimination of the threat to the ecosystem. Meanwhile, in Antioquia, the number of wildfires has surged dramatically. As of August 14, the Department Administrative Office for Disaster Risk Management (Dagran) reported 12 wildfires in the region during the month of August alone, adding to eight incidents handled in Medellín within less than a week. These fires are spread across various subregions, including one each in Ciudad Bolívar, Anorí, two in San Luis, two in Montebello, one in Barbosa, one in Alejandría, one in Santa Fe de Antioquia, one in Abejorral, and one in Bello. The director of Dagran, Vanessa Paredes Zúñiga, warned about the vulnerabilities of the Antioquian territory during the second half of the year, noting that despite not having reached the peak season yet, the frequency of these emergencies has remained consistent. In particular, the situation in Abejorral has proven especially difficult, with an active fire requiring sustained effort from regional and local authorities. The complex geography and challenging access conditions have further complicated definitive control of the blaze. Additional reports include incidents in Venecia, Caldas, and Bello, with the latter being addressed through coordinated efforts involving the municipal fire department. In Medellín, the situation has been equally dire, with the focus of firefighting efforts centered on the San Cristóbal corregimiento. An ongoing fire in the Alto de Boquerón area has required continuous attention for approximately 65 hours since its initial report. Mayor Federico Gutiérrez stated that between 10 and 15 firefighters per day have been deployed alongside teams of forest guards, personnel from Siata, EPM, and aerial support. Strong wind gusts have impacted helicopter operations, prompting the installation of four command posts and frequent adjustments to ground-based extinction strategies aimed at protecting the district's natural heritage. As of August 16, the situation in Antioquia continues to worsen, with a total of 73 wildfires recorded in the department so far in 2026, 18 of which occurred in just the first 15 days of August. Authorities have activated and coordinated actions with various response bodies to tackle active emergencies in seven municipalities. In Abejorral, the fire in the La M sector has reached a 70 percent control level thanks to joint efforts between local firefighters, units from La Ceja, and aerial support from the Colombian Aerospace Force. Another fire in the Las Trojas sector has already been contained by the Civil Defense. The complexity of the situation in Medellín led the city to request assistance from the Northeast and Lower Cauca Forest Brigade, composed of units from Caucasia, Remedios, Segovia, El Bagre, and Yolombó, to manage the fire in the Alto de Boquerón area. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and maintain readiness to deploy technical and human resources to critical zones as needed. They have reiterated their call to the public to avoid forest burning and open fires, refrain from discarding cigarettes or flammable waste in green spaces, and immediately report any signs of fire to local lines or the 123 Departmental hotline.