In a determined display of leadership during his first month in office, Bogotá Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán has earned widespread praise for effectively managing the wildfires that swept through the Eastern hills of the Colombian capital. The crisis, which unfolded over the past week, saw over 600 responders battling two significant fires in the Cerros Orientales.
Mayor Galán confirmed that the fire in Quebrada de la Vieja has been completely extinguished, while the blaze in Cerro del Cable is now 95% under control, thanks to the relentless efforts of Bogotá firefighters, National Police, Civil Defense, and the Army.
Political figures from centrist, green and right-wing parties, have lauded Galán’s leadership in the face of adversity, considering the challenges posed by the El Niño weather phenomenon, which has led to more than 300 fires across the hardest-hit departments of Colombia. Senator Humberto de la Calle, Colombia’s former chief peace negotiator under the Juan Manuel Santos administration, took to social media to express his admiration, stating: “The first (literal) trial by fire of @CarlosFGalan in managing the fires in Bogotá. Overcome widely. Calm leadership, without fanfare, promoting the best in each official, organizing in detail, communicating transparently, without generating unnecessary hatred. Very good.”
Former Minister of Finance under President Iván Duque, José Manuel Restrepo, also acknowledged Galán’s efforts, praising the mayor’s call for private companies to contribute helicopters for firefighting. “What a good job Mayor @CarlosFGalan. Without complaining, without evading responsibilities or blaming others, without using rearview mirrors, with drive, tenacity, work, and responsibility, with leadership and execution capacity and not just speeches, successfully adding to the private sector.”
Mayor Galán’s strategic planning and proactive measures, such as retaining the director of the District Institute for Risk and Disaster Management (Idiger), Guillermo Escobar, were highlighted by politicians, except the country’s first leftist leader Gustavo Petro. The mayor’s leadership was also crucial in coordinating actions from the PMU (Unified Command Post) on along the Circunvalar avenue.
Former Mayor Claudia López also voiced support for Galán saying: “Immense gratitude and recognition to all emergency response teams of @Bogota @IDIGER @BomberosBogota, Army, and Police who have worked tirelessly to control and extinguish the fire in the Eastern hills, under the leadership of Mayor @CarlosFGalan.”
With the fires largely under control, Mayor Galán has shifted focus to the environmental impact, emphasizing the importance of a joint prevention plan with the department of Cundinamarca. “We had more than 40 firefighters working overnight on Sunday, and we will continue to address hotspots; these events have already been controlled,” stated Galán. The mayor also highlighted the successful collaboration involving nine helicopters, including those from the Air Force, Police, and private entities, making 147 aerial discharges with Bambi buckets to combat the fires.
As air quality in Bogotá gradually improves due to the coordinated efforts, Mayor Galán reassured the public, that as the fires come under control, “the environmental alert could be lifted in the next 24 or 48 hours.” He also stressed the importance of responsible waste management to prevent future incidents.
The mayor revealed that the fires in the Eastern hills were caused by human factors—a bonfire in Quebrada La Vieja, and sunlight refracting through a glass bottle in Cerro El Cable. While expressing his thanks for the successful rescue of fauna and improved air quality, Galán declared a preventive phase and maintained the Phase 1 Alert for air quality in the southwest of the city.
Universities and schools, temporarily closed due to the emergency, are set to resume in-person activities as from January 29, with Mayor Galán providing guidance to ensure a safe return to classes, including the use of face masks for students. The mayor concluded by urging collective efforts to care for the Eastern Hills and prevent future environmental tragedies.
