Forest fire in Monjas, Quito, controlled by firefighters

A forest fire ignited on a hillside in Quito's Monjas sector on Friday morning, August 14, 2026. Flames spread from the vicinity of Simón Bolívar avenue, consuming vegetation on the slope.

The Quito Fire Department responded swiftly, dispatching two vehicles and eight personnel. Local residents also assisted in the control efforts. By 7:37 AM, firefighters reported that 80% of the fire was under control, with the goal of complete extinguishment within hours.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the burning of waste may have caused the fire. The flames affected the hillside vegetation and spread near the avenue. The proximity of several homes on the upper part of the slope has made controlling the fire a priority for emergency teams.

Meanwhile, the Quito Fire Department is also engaged in controlling another fire in the Calacalí sector, which has been ongoing for four days. Strong winds and difficult terrain have caused the flames in Calacalí to reignite multiple times. An estimated 250 hectares of vegetation have been affected by this northern Quito fire.

In response to these incidents, the Quito Fire Department urged citizens to avoid burning waste and reminded them that agricultural burning is prohibited due to the high risk of uncontrolled fires. These warnings aim to prevent further emergencies in Quito's vegetated areas.