Colombia declares public calamity as wildfire threatens popular tourist area

A volunteer looks on as a forest fire burns on San Marcos Hill in the municipality of Villa de Leyva, Colombia, on 20 September 2026. A volunteer looks on as a forest fire burns on San Marcos Hill in the municipality of Villa de Leyva, Colombia, on 20 September 2026. Colombia Colombia declares public calamity as wildfire threatens popular tourist area Wildfire forces evacuations and burns through mountains surrounding Villa de Leyva in the north-east

Prefer the Guardian on Google Colombian authorities declared a public calamity as a wildfire burned through mountains surrounding one of the country’s best-known colonial towns in the north-east, scorching large swaths of vegetation and forcing evacuations.

Nearly 20 active fires are burning across the South American country. Dry conditions have increased fire danger in Colombia as it braces for the effects of El Niño, which can help wildfires spread.