Colombia's Environment Ministry has alerted the population to an elevated risk of forest fires in the country and urged people to avoid bonfires and burning as a preventive measure. The ministry's warning comes after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake recorded in Colombian territory.
Colombia has 80 community forest brigades to help prevent fires. Environmental authorities have stressed the importance of strengthening these preventive measures in the current context.
A forest affected by a fire can take up to 30 years to recover, according to environmental records. The El Niño phenomenon further increases the risk of fires, making it necessary to maintain and strengthen prevention efforts.
