After three rainless months, Kalimantan villages face low rivers, unsafe water, peat fires and toxic haze. El Niño drought is acting on wetlands drained for decades, while the government promises prevention, restoration and stronger enforcement.
Four fires were in Chimborazo and one each in Carchi and Azuay, while two controlled fires remained under watch. From January through September 18, authorities recorded 3,550 fires affecting 21,803.86 hectares of vegetation.
The fire had affected about 290 hectares and was 50% controlled at the reporting cutoff, after preventive evacuations and 170 aerial drops. Colombia was monitoring 27 wildfires: 19 active and eight under control.
Lower rainfall, high temperatures and dry soils are amplifying fires that are overwhelmingly human-caused. Tolima accounts for nearly 30,000 affected hectares, according to the Humboldt Institute, which recommends isolation, monitoring regeneration and choosing passive or active restoration by site.
Resolution 1070 temporarily suspended controlled open burning across Colombia's rural territory. The measure responds to El Niño, 539 municipalities under alerts and 600 fires that had affected 14,872 hectares by 15 August.
Fires reported in Ayacucho, Cusco and Arequipa between 5 and 9 August were extinguished with no reported harm to people. The preliminary toll includes natural cover and two hectares of crops, while other incidents remained active or controlled in Cajamarca and Áncash.
An elderly couple died on Salamis and more than 500 people were evacuated. In the High Fens, the largest wildfire in Belgium's modern history burned about 3,000 hectares and mobilized ground and aerial resources from several European countries.
Brazil's Fire Bulletin records about 2 million hectares burned in 2026, compared with more than 3 million in the historical average for the same period. The Caatinga is 8% above its average, while a possible strong El Niño keeps risks elevated.
The fire grew to about 9,500 hectares and advanced on Summerland, Peachland and other districts west of Okanagan Lake. The province declared a state of emergency while fighting more than 100 fires; homes had been destroyed, but the property-loss count remained open.
CONAF examined 708 of the 935 wildfires recorded during the latest regional season with teams deployed across all 32 municipalities. New coordination with prosecutors seeks to turn evidence on causes and patterns into targeted prevention and, where appropriate, stronger criminal cases.
Three fires on the outskirts of Washington state's second-largest city burned more than 8,000 acres and forced tens of thousands to leave. The August 3 toll remained provisional as crews searched for missing residents and fought blazes with no containment.
More than 100 firefighters battled a blaze across Dunwich Heath and Minsmere reserve, coastal habitats whose vegetation may take decades to recover. About 50 people were evacuated; nearby Sizewell B nuclear station kept operating and was not on alert.