Colombia’s Ombudsman’s Office on Sunday called for greater national support to contain wildfires in the central department of Tolima, where more than 20,000 hectares have already burned.

Active fires were reported in the municipalities of Suárez, San Luis, Armero, Coello and Guamo, among others, while fire emergencies were also recorded in Nariño, in the southwest, and Caldas, in the center of the country.

RELATED: Colombia Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 329

The agency said in a statement that the emergency continues to put communities, homes, ecosystems and livelihoods at risk. It asked the national government and the entities that make up the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) to maintain and strengthen support in Tolima, establish a national response plan, and adopt fire prevention measures.

The Ombudsman’s Office also urged citizens to follow the recommendations of environmental and risk-management authorities, including not discarding cigarette butts, matches, glass or other items that could start a fire; making responsible use of water and energy; and ensuring water, food and shelter for animals.

The institution further warned that conditions could worsen because the flames threaten to spread amid droughts that are beginning to appear due to the El Niño phenomenon in that central part of Colombia.

According to the UNGRD, as of Sunday there were ten active fires and seven controlled fires nationwide, while another 75 had been extinguished over the previous seven days.

From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.