Central Colombia forest fire threatens tourist town of Villa de Leyva

A massive wildfire has broken out in central Colombia, threatening the popular tourist town of Villa de Leyva, according to local officials. The forest fire is near the Andean town in the Boyaca department, with flames engulfing the San Marcos hillside above the colonial architecture and cobblestone streets that attract more than a million visitors annually. The blaze has already consumed 40 hectares of native forest, sending massive plumes of smoke that are visible from the town’s central square, according to Colombian authorities.