Tolima Governor Suspects Criminal Groups Behind Forest Fires

The governor of Colombia's Tolima province has formally asked the attorney general to investigate whether criminal groups deliberately set some of the forest fires that have ravaged the region this month.

Adriana Matiz said Tuesday that authorities have found "serious clues" pointing to sabotage. She cited videos filmed by local residents showing men on motorcycles igniting vegetation, and a fire department report indicating that gasoline was used to start at least one blaze.

The governor suggested that armed groups may be using the fires to divert law enforcement attention from areas where they profit from illegal gold mining.

President Abelardo de la Espriella has also voiced concern that some fires may have been intentionally set and has ordered an investigation. He has additionally requested firefighting support from the governments of the United States and Chile.

The fires have consumed nearly 30,000 hectares in Tolima, including about 8,000 hectares of farmland and 50 homes. No deaths have been reported.

Matiz warned of an impending economic crisis for local farmers. "We have people who lost all of their corn crop, or their lemons. People who have no way to feed their cattle," she said.

Unusually hot and dry conditions have worsened the situation. Temperatures in some parts of Tolima have been more than 2 degrees Celsius above average, while rainfall has been 30 percent below normal, according to the regional environmental agency.

Other Colombian provinces, including Cundinamarca, Valle del Cauca, Narino and Boyaca, have also reported forest fires this month.