Governor Adriana Matiz of Colombia’s Tolima province told local media on Tuesday that evidence points to criminal groups deliberately setting several of the forest fires that have scorched almost 30,000 hectares (74,131 acres) this month. She said video footage captured by residents shows men on motorcycles igniting vegetation, and a fire‑department report identified gasoline as the accelerant in at least one blaze.

Government Action and International Help

Matiz has filed a formal complaint with Colombia’s attorney general and is urging law‑enforcement agencies to investigate the suspected sabotage. President Abelardo de la Espriella echoed the governor’s concerns in a post on X, stating that the fires may have been set intentionally and directing security forces to pursue the leads.

The president also said he has asked the United States and Chile for assistance in combating the fires, which have been fueled by unusually high temperatures—more than two degrees Celsius above average—and a 30% drop in rainfall, according to the provincial environmental agency Cortolima.

Impact on Residents

In the hardest‑hit areas of Tolima, the flames have destroyed 50 homes and burned nearly 8,000 hectares of farmland. While no fatalities have been reported, many families have lost entire corn and lemon crops, leaving them without feed for their cattle. “We are facing a strong economic crisis,” Matiz warned, adding that the provincial government is preparing emergency measures to support affected households.

Wider Regional Context

Tolima is not the only Colombian region battling wildfires this month. The provinces of Cundinamarca, Valle del Cauca, Nariño and Boyacá have also reported significant fire activity, highlighting a broader environmental challenge across the country.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation, and the investigation into possible criminal involvement remains ongoing.

Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.