Huge forest fire covers the city of Quito in smoke, emergency teams are fighting the flames

( Spanish) –– The Quito Fire Department in Ecuador confirmed that a forest fire was reported in the Guápulo sector, in the north-central part of the capital.

The institution indicated that due to the strong winds that crossed the Ecuadorian capital, a large amount of smoke and combustion residues appeared in several sectors. saw a large cloud of smoke that reached some neighborhoods and was accompanied by a strong smell from the fire.

“Our staff is already on site fighting and controlling the fire, safeguarding the well-being of people and nearby infrastructure,” the Fire Department said in a statement. message in X.

The agency also reported two other fires in the La Forestal sector, south of Quito, and in La Tola, in the center.

Pabel Muñoz, mayor of Quito, spoke in your X account about the emergency.

“A large fire has been set in motion, with the entire Municipality being called in, as well as the support of the National Government. We urge citizens to limit their movement to what is strictly necessary to avoid further traffic chaos,” insisted Muñoz.

Daniel Noboa, President of the Republic, who is on tour in the United States, advancement that emergency teams from the Armed Forces are joining the efforts to extinguish the fire in Guápulo.

“I have arranged for the mobilization of all necessary contingents. The helicopters will come to support us as soon as it is safe for the pilots to undertake their mission,” Noboa said.

The Quito Metropolitan Transit Agency (AMT) reported that Simón Bolívar Avenue, in the Guápulo area, was closed in all its lanes to prevent the passage of vehicles whose passengers could be put at risk. In addition, the pico y placa measure (traffic ban for private vehicles from 6 am to 9 pm local time) was suspended due to the emergency.

The Minister of Environment, Inés Manzano, advancement that the power service would not be suspended in Quito. However, after the fire, power cuts were recorded in some neighborhoods due to possible risks in three electrical substations that could be compromised by the scourge, clarified the Quito Electric Company.

Ecuador is currently facing power outages at different times due to severe drought, reduced river flow and the inability of power plants to provide more energy.

In addition, 19 of Ecuador’s 24 provinces were declared on red alert over the weekend due to forest fires, water shortages and food security, the government announced.