Classes suspended and dozens evacuated due to forest fires in Ecuador

Quito. A fire broke out on Tuesday in the northeast of Quito, the capital of Ecuador, forced the evacuation of dozens of people whose homes were threatened by the flames, reported municipal authorities. Given the magnitude of the event, in-person classes were also suspended for Wednesday throughout the city.

The most aggressive fire started around midday in the foothills of a steep slope in Guápulo, a small town northeast of the capital, and caused trees between 10 and 15 meters high to gradually catch fire, turning them into gigantic lighters.

During the afternoon, the fire spread to several residential areas and smoke could be seen for miles, forming a grey blanket over the city, while dozens of families from different sectors were evacuated due to the risk of the flames reaching their homes.

Among the affected areas are Bellavista, a neighborhood located on the top of a hill, and González Suárez, an exclusive sector where large buildings line the length of the ravine.

In both sectors, dozens of residents and police officers were seen trying to help the firefighters.

Afp Photo

Due to the magnitude of the fire, which also affected air quality, authorities ordered the suspension of in-person classes for schools and colleges in the city.

The mayor of Quito, Pabel Muñoz, told reporters that it is highly likely that the fire will not be controlled tonight due to the summer winds, while firefighters said they have allocated “more than 460 personnel and 130 vehicles” to control seven active fires in different sectors of Quito, the largest in the La Forestal sector, south of the city, in La Tola, in the center, and in Guápulo.

The Ministry of Defense offered the support of 250 soldiers and two helicopters to fight the fire.

Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa Azín, who is in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, announced on Tuesday night that he will suspend his agenda and return to the country. “If it is found that this has been caused intentionally, those involved will be prosecuted for terrorism,” he said on his X account.

In recent weeks, Ecuador has been experiencing a severe drought that has been identified by the government as the worst in more than six decades and has also created the conditions for the spread of large forest fires that have already consumed nearly 37,000 hectares in recent weeks, 16,000 of them in the province of Loja, bordering Peru.