Colombian authorities have issued a red alert Thursday due to potentially hazardous fires that could evolve from high temperatures in several areas of Colombia.
The Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies of Colombia, Ideam, recommended issuing the red alert as fires can spread fast in dry vegetation.
Cristian Uscategui, the chief of Ideam, told local media that the authorities should take measures to prevent fires, especially in the states of Meta, Casanare, Vichada, Antioquia, Boyaca, Santander and Tolima.
“Right now the vegetation is likely to spread the fire faster, because it has only received solar radiation and no humidity. So you have to take extra precautions to prevent them, ” Uscategui told El Tiempo.
Ideam has also issued a warning for the municipalities of the Savanna of Bogota as frost can be expected at dawn.
“They are the weather conditions for the phenomenon of frost begins to occur, because the days are very clear and while there is little solar radiation and cloudiness, at dawn cool condensation begins the formation of water droplets which are then converted into small ice crystals, ” Uscategui told El Tiempo.
The governor of the state Cundinamarca, Alvaro Cruz explained the emergency and risk committees have already been notified.
Last week fires occurred in five municipalities in the state, but “had been controlled quickly by the action of the authorities, according to the treatment protocols that were activated,” Cruz said.
Due to the high risk of rapid spread of fire, environmental and emergency authorities have asked citizenship not to throw cigarettes on the hills or vegetation.
Sources
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Ideam lanza alerta roja por riesgo de incendios y advierte heladas (El Tiempo)
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Alerta roja en el país por temporada seca: IDEAM (Caracol Radio)