On the morning of February 8, 2023, the Minister of the Environment, susan muhamadgave a press conference in which he warned citizens of the necessary measures to prevent forest fires in the dry season, which will last until April.
District declared Phase I Alert in Bogotá due to air quality
The influence of forest fires in the perimeter of the city were the determinants to adopt the measure
The first to give statements was the director of the ideas, Ghisliane Echeverry Prieto, who assured that more than 5,000 hot spots have been identified in 2023, of which 182 exceeded 40 degrees Celsius, and focused on the Caribbean, Orinoquía and northern Amazon regions. Likewise, she revealed that from the Ideam the rainy season is forecast to return in May and last until November.
Subsequently, the minister reported that in 2023, 1,408 firesAlthough this figure shows a reduction compared to last year, from his portfolio it was explained that this can be understood by the prolongation of the La Niña Phenomenon and the prevention work carried out by the national Government.
“Ideam will be putting on the website every day the hot spots, which are those points that can have high temperatures and where a forest fire could be generated, so that the public, the control entities and the management systems of the risk of the entire national territory are examined day by day,” explained Minister Susana Muhamad.
In order to continue with the good results, the Environment portfolio began the campaign: No Fire, Zero Fires, with which it is expected to coordinate the work with local environmental control agencies.
Fires in Huila have affected some 120 hectares of vegetation so far in 2023
The reasons for this type of tragic eventualities in the country, says that entity, lie in various aspects. One of them has to do with the burning of illegal loggers
“This is a call to all citizens, we are in the dry season in most of the regions of Colombia and today we want to invite everyone to be part of the Campaign without Fire, Zero Fires. Since the beginning of the year, 9,000 hectares have been affected by forest fires, ”he said in a video posted on the ministry’s social networks.
During his speech, Muhammad publicly recognized the work carried out by the Carabineros, a body attached to the Colombian National Police, whose task was fundamental in the prevention and management of fires in the Amazon and Sumapaz.
“Let’s set the alerts and as citizens let’s keep an eye on reporting if we see forest fires, let’s also prevent all that is solid waste, especially glass in wooded areas or in mountains, starting bonfires, cigarette butts.”
During the round of questions, the Minister of the Environment clarified that the country is currently in a period of stabilization of the La Niña Phenomenon, however, she assured that there are high probabilities that the phenomenon will occur in June El Niño Phenomenonfor which the alerts will be maintained.
They declared an alert in the southwest of Bogotá due to high concentrations of particulate matter
The Ministry of the Environment clarified that this alert does not contemplate restrictions on mobility, commerce or industry, but invited citizens to adopt measures that reduce the emission of pollutants
“The historical climatic pattern indicates that after Niña comes Niño, as we are beginning to see precautionary measures,” said the Minister of the Environment.
The current stabilization season will be key to monitoring the country’s capacities, since although the rains are expected to return in May, they would not be as intense as those presented in 2022.
Muhammad He reminded the audience that an intense El Niño Phenomenon generates another type of vulnerability for Colombian society, such as a drop in the level of reservoirs or forest fires and that is why his portfolio will work on the preparation of the Risk Management System.
He also said that the good adaptation practices that exist in the country are being compiled, with the intention of generating a bank of preparation and good practices, so that it is included in public policies and the productive sector.
