Wildfire scorches nearly 300 hectares near Colombia's historic Villa de Leyva

More than 400 personnel deployed as blaze destroys hotel, threatens high-altitude Andean ecosystem.

Emergency crews are working to contain a major wildfire that has scorched nearly 300 hectares (741 acres) near Villa de Leyva, one of Colombia's best-known historic towns, amid dry conditions linked to the El Nino climate pattern.

The fire broke out Saturday on San Marcos Hill in the rural La Castellana area, near the historic center of Villa de Leyva in the central department of Boyaca.

Colombia's National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) said Monday that firefighting operations were continuing around the clock.

"Emergency response efforts are continuing without interruption in coordination with local and national authorities," the agency said, adding that preliminary assessments showed at least 290 hectares of vegetation had burned.

Boyaca Gov. Carlos Amaya said more than 400 personnel, including municipal firefighters, civil defense volunteers and military units, had been mobilized.

The response involves 14 fire departments, 10 specialized emergency vehicles and helicopters equipped for aerial firefighting.

Footage shared on social media showed flames engulfing the nearby Arcoiris Hotel. Emergency officials said the building was destroyed but all guests and staff were safely evacuated, with no injuries reported.

The fire has also caused significant environmental damage to the surrounding high-altitude Andean ecosystem.

The Regional Autonomous Corporation of Cundinamarca (CAR) warned that recovery of the area's vegetation and soil could take up to 30 years.

Founded in 1572, Villa de Leyva is designated a National Monument and is a major tourist destination known for its preserved Spanish colonial architecture, cobbled streets and large central plaza.

The blaze comes as a prolonged dry period associated with El Nino intensifies drought conditions across Colombia and other parts of Latin America.

National disaster management authorities reported 24 active forest fires across Colombia.

The country has recorded 794 wildfires in recent weeks, burning more than 2,800 hectares (6,919 acres) of forest and paramo ecosystems.