Ecuador had six active wildfires on Sunday, September 27, according to the national risk agency’s cutoff. Four were in Chimborazo around Riobamba and Colta, one in Tulcán, Carchi, and one in Nabón, Azuay. The snapshot required field updates.
Two other fires in Carchi and Bolívar were controlled. Controlled means spread has been contained, not that a fire is extinguished. Hotspots, wind and dry vegetation can restart activity, so inspection and cooling continue.
From January 1 through September 18, authorities recorded 3,550 fires in 20 provinces, 117 cantons and 543 parishes, affecting 21,803.86 hectares. These cumulative national totals should not be added again to the six active incidents without an updated official balance.
A previous report listed two deaths, 14 injuries, 82 people left homeless and 103 otherwise affected, plus nine homes destroyed and 14 damaged. These categories represent different impacts and should not be combined as one definitive victim count.
The Andes historically concentrate Ecuador’s fires: more than 80% from 2012–2019 occurred there. Slopes, dry grasslands, wind and difficult access hamper response, but recurrence alone does not establish the ignition cause of any individual fire.
The risk agency coordinates firefighters, local governments and other institutions. Immediate priorities are people, crews, infrastructure and water; later assessment must cover erosion, páramo, forests, wildlife and restoration.
The decline from 12 active fires on September 21 to six on September 27 suggests progress but does not close the season. Prevention needs burning restrictions, alerts, cause investigations, community preparation and fuel management.
