A total of 344 municipalities have been placed under red alert for forest fires, marking a 93% increase in a single day, according to the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM), Anadolu Agency reported.
Authorities say extreme heat and dry conditions are fueling dozens of active fires, with the worst outbreaks reported in Tolima, Cesar, Norte de Santander, Antioquia, Nariño and Santander.
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Firefighters, military personnel and emergency crews have been deployed alongside aircraft to contain the blazes. Regional authorities have reported that more than 11,000 hectares (27,182 acres) of vegetation, farmland and residential areas have been affected.
The worsening fire situation is adding pressure to emergency services already responding to the aftermath of the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Colombia on August 10.
Official disaster management figures put the earthquake death toll at 288, with 4,018 people injured. More than 12,500 homes were destroyed, while over 80,000 other structures were damaged.
Firefighting teams from several departments have been sent to areas battling the flames. Risaralda, which was also affected by the earthquake, has deployed crews despite authorities warning that emergency personnel are already in short supply.
Weather conditions could make the situation even more difficult.
IDEAM forecasts a 90% probability that El Niño conditions will persist into early 2027, with severe heat anomalies expected to intensify toward the end of this year.
The country is also monitoring increased activity at Puracé volcano in Cauca department, creating another challenge for authorities already dealing with the earthquake recovery and widespread wildfires.
With fires spreading across multiple regions and emergency teams operating under heavy strain, Colombia is now facing several major natural hazards at the same time.
