Ecuador Declares National Emergency Amid Worsening Wildfires and Drought
Ecuador has declared a 60-day national emergency as raging forest fires, exacerbated by a severe drought, continue to devastate the nation. Risk management officials announced the emergency on Monday, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated efforts to combat the crisis.
“The whole country is suffering the ravages of this great drought that has already lasted almost 120 days,” said Jorge Carrillo, Ecuador’s Risk Management Secretary, in an interview with FM Mundo radio. The prolonged dry spell has led to 13 active wildfires across the country, with another nine having been controlled, according to government updates.
The most affected provinces, Azuay and Loja, have seen more than 10,000 hectares consumed by flames. The challenging terrain in these regions makes firefighting efforts difficult, often requiring firefighters to trek for hours to reach remote fires.
Carrillo emphasized the critical need for aerial support to effectively fight the wildfires. “It’s crucial to use aerial assistance as the areas are rugged, and in some cases, it takes firefighters three hours to reach fires by land,” he explained.
The emergency comes at a time when Ecuador is also grappling with an energy crisis. In recent months, power outages lasting up to 14 hours a day have disrupted daily life, adding to the hardships faced by communities across the country.
As the government mobilizes resources to address the wildfires and drought, citizens are urged to stay informed and take necessary precautions. The national emergency declaration aims to streamline efforts and bring relief to the affected regions.
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Ecuador declares national emergency as wildfires, drought intensify
cgtn.com
