Wildfires sweep northeast Colombia

Wildfires in northeast Colombia have destroyed more than 24 acres of forest, reported local media Monday.

A forest fire in Piedecuesta in the Santander department broke out Sunday morning and was not tamed until Monday afternoon.

Firefighters from Piedecuesta, Bucaramanga and Floridablanca combatted the flames, which proved problematic due to strong winds.

“The wildfire grew thanks to strong wind. But on Sunday night, the wind dropped and allowed us to control the fire,” Piedecuesta firefighter Pedro Triana told reporters.

Monday’s weather was less windy and according to El Espectador, the fire is expected to be put down entirely Monday night.

Local media reported that the fire’s epicenter is in the vicinity of the Espoñalita sector, thus the flames will not affect residential areas.

The cause of the fire has yet to be confirmed.

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