In order to face the large-scale forest fires that have occurred in the national territory due to the El Niño Phenomenon, the Colombian Aerospace Force sent its air resources, for the control and total extinction of the conflagrations.
According to figures of the National Unit for Risk Management UNGRD, from November 3, 2023 to January 31, 2024, 583 forest fires were reported that hit 270 municipalities and 36,875 hectares of vegetation.
In order to provide support in a timely manner for this environmental emergency and to support from the heights the tasks carried out by the emergency and disaster response agencies of the ground, the Aerospace Institution sent its crews and UH 60 Black Hawk, Huey II and Bell 212 helicopters, configured with the bambi bucket system, in different regions of the country.
The coordinated work of the National Personnel Recovery Center and the regional Risk Management Units brought the Aerospace Force to intervene in areas in Antioquia, Cesar, Meta, Santander, Caquetá, Magdalena and Cundinamarca, carrying out 21 operations with 608 water drops of 784 thousand liters of water, with 432 gallons of retardant liquid and using 118 flight hours.
This work is in the same way complemented by 30 hours of airplanes and helicopters flights, which have been used in reconnaissance and surveillance missions on risk areas, for the collection of information and timely alert to the corresponding institutions and act efficiently in case of possible emergencies in Villavicencio, Arauca, Bogotá, Providencia, Vichada, Caquetá, Cesar and Casanare.
The Colombian Aerospace Force will continue to work in a coordinated manner with the relief agencies and deploying its military and tactical operation resources wherever it is sought to strengthen unified operations aimed at preserving natural resources and protecting the flora and fauna of the national territory.
Source: Press – Colombian Aerospace Force
