Governor of Tolima denounces possible criminal hands behind the fires that have destroyed more than 20,000 hectares of vegetation

The governor of Tolima, Adriana Matiz, has accused possible criminal hands behind the wildfires that have scorched more than 20,000 hectares of vegetation. The fires, which continue to ravage nine municipalities in the department, currently involve 10 active blazes. According to local authorities, the situation reached its peak with up to 40 forest fires burning simultaneously during one day. Matiz announced that she has filed a formal complaint with the Prosecutor’s Office to investigate whether some of these fires were deliberately set. Matiz emphasized that while responding to nature's fury is one thing, the deliberate provocation of such disasters by criminals is another. “I myself am submitting the necessary complaints because facing the power of nature is one thing, but this tragedy being caused intentionally by criminal hands is entirely different,” she stated. She added that there are elements under investigation that could lead to identifying potential responsibilities. “We have indications that require us to investigate, and we are working with authorities to establish accountability. Against the fire of nature, we respond with our capabilities, but against those who cause it deliberately, we must apply all the rigor of the law and sanctions established by current Colombian legislation,” Matiz explained. The affected areas include Carmen de Apicalá, Suárez, Ortega, Armero Guayabal, San Luis, and Coello. In Suárez, one fire threatened an aviary facility, while in Coello, flames came dangerously close to an Ecopetrol plant and residential homes. To combat the crisis, authorities deployed two planes and two helicopters from the National Police, along with two aircraft from the Army and the Aerospace Force. Hundreds of volunteers from regional rescue organizations and residents in the affected zones have joined the efforts. Despite rainfall on Friday night and Saturday morning, the risk posed by the ongoing fires remains high. The rains did not eliminate the threat, and the fires continue to pose dangers to both infrastructure and communities. Local firefighters and emergency services work tirelessly to contain the spread, though the scale of the disaster presents significant challenges. Authorities are considering the possibility that some of the fires might have been human-caused. This suspicion stems from the frequency and intensity of the blazes, which have exceeded typical patterns. While natural causes such as lightning strikes can ignite fires, the repeated occurrence and proximity of some fires to populated areas and critical facilities suggest a need for further inquiry. The government is coordinating with environmental agencies and legal bodies to determine the origins of these incidents. As the firefighting operations continue, officials remain focused on preventing further damage and ensuring public safety. With over 20,000 hectares already impacted, the long-term consequences for the region’s ecosystems and economy are yet to be fully assessed. The situation underscores the urgency of addressing both immediate threats and underlying factors contributing to the increasing frequency of such disasters.