Villa de Leyva fire tops 200 hectares, schools shut

A forest fire near Villa de Leyva, a tourist town in Colombia's central Andes, had affected more than 200 hectares by Sunday afternoon, local official Jose Castro said, as authorities declared a state of public calamity and suspended classes in local schools for Monday.

The blaze began on Saturday in a nearby forest. Flames were visible from the central square of Villa de Leyva, a town known for colonial architecture and cobblestone streets that attracts more than a million tourists a year.

About 250 local firefighters and residents were fighting the fire on Sunday afternoon. Two helicopters from the governor's office, two military helicopters and firefighters from Bogota joined the response.

Colombia's Disaster Risk Management agency said the fire was 50% under control by Sunday afternoon. But Mayor Nicolas Mendez told Caracol TV on Sunday evening that there were still many active fire fronts and that local resources were being overwhelmed.

Environment Minister Fabio Arjona said on X that the fire may have been deliberately set.

Hotel manager Eliana Suarez said staff evacuated about 20 guests as flames moved along a hillside toward the hotel. She said the fire later reached the roofs of some country cabins.

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella said on X that the state would deploy resources to fight the fire and protect the town's residents, heritage and natural wealth.

Forest fires are common during the dry season in the Andean region near the equator. The current El Nino weather pattern has brought drought and high temperatures. Latest official data said Colombia had about 18 active forest fires.