El Nino wildfires — Colombian farmers in the Tolima department are witnessing their lemon and avocado crops destroyed as wildfires, fueled by the El Nino weather phenomenon, continue to rage across the region. The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management reported on Wednesday that 18 wildfires are currently active in four departments, with Tolima suffering the worst damage. More than 20,000 hectares have burned during 26 days of emergency conditions, leaving local communities desperate for assistance.

According to the agency, ten fires are burning in Tolima, five in Narino, two in Cundinamarca, and one in Valle del Cauca. Farmers in Tolima are not only losing their livelihoods but are also concerned for their homes as the flames approach residential areas. Local authorities have appealed for increased air support, while military engineers have joined efforts on the ground to contain the fires.

Interior Minister Rodrigo Lara Reports Intensified Efforts

Rodrigo Lara, Colombia’s interior minister, stated that the fires intensified overnight in the towns of San Luis and Coello. Emergency crews, including firefighters, civil defense teams, soldiers, police, and local residents, have been working through the early hours to protect homes and critical infrastructure such as power towers. Lara also announced that two suspects have been arrested following indications of criminal activity related to the wildfires.

The fires began in early August 2026, coinciding with the onset of El Nino, which has dried out vegetation and made conditions ripe for rapid fire spread. Officials warn that the emergency could persist until March 2027, raising concerns about long-term impacts on agriculture and rural livelihoods in Colombia.