Quito enters state of emergency for fires

The fires that are ravaging Brazil also cause concern in other countries in South America. In Quito, capital of Ecuador, authorities declared a state of emergency last Thursday (26) due to the fires.

The fires started weeks ago. The vegetation around the city was drastically consumed by fire. At least 140 hectares were affected and covered the capital with thick smoke.

Information shows that six people were injured, houses were destroyed and hundreds of families had to evacuate from some neighborhoods, with the Bolaños neighborhood being one of the main ones among those affected.

The situation comes amid the worst drought in 61 years.

Read more: Ecuador faces blackouts and energy crisis due to drought

As the Minister of Agriculture, Danilo Palacios, said to the AFPmore than 40 thousand hectares of vegetation were affected across the country this year.

Part of the firefighting efforts also involves searching for possible fire culprits. One person was arrested in Guápulo, caught in the act, setting fire to fuel. It was the 17th arrest in a week.

There is a possibility that the president of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, will declare a state of emergency throughout the country.

In a press release, the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs “expresses its solidarity with the government and people of Ecuador due to the forest fires affecting the capital, Quito”.

According to Itamaraty, there are no reports of Brazilians affected so far.

Check the note:

Forest fires in Ecuador

The Brazilian government expresses its solidarity with the government and people of Ecuador due to the forest fires that have affected the capital, Quito, in recent days, threatening residential areas and critical infrastructure in the city.

According to the Brazilian Embassy in Quito, there is no news, so far, of Brazilians affected by the fires. Inquiries regarding the situation of Brazilians in Ecuador can be made at the consular section of the Embassy, ​​by telephone on duty +593 995 201 449, or by email [email protected].

*With information from Ansa and AFP