Quito Firefighters Control Two Wildfires and a Waste Burning Incident

Quito firefighters controlled two forest fires and a waste-burning incident across the city on the afternoon of Sept. 1, 2026.

The first fire was reported at 3:13 p.m. in Ontaneda, Conocoto. Firefighters carried out control and extinguishing operations, then cooled hot spots to make the area safe.

At 4:12 p.m., a column of smoke triggered another alert in Nayón, in northern Quito. Crews went to the site to prevent the fire from spreading and brought it under control shortly after 5 p.m. At about 4:30 p.m., firefighters also controlled a waste-burning incident in Tumbaco.

The Quito fire department reminded residents that starting a forest fire is prohibited and can lead to fines of up to $36,000. It urged anyone who sees burning or a column of smoke to report it immediately by calling 9-1-1.

The warning followed a case from Aug. 26, when a forest fire in Quito’s Monjas sector consumed more than 1,200 square meters of vegetation. A judge later ordered preventive detention for a man identified as the alleged cause of that fire after residents reported him to authorities. National Police took him to the Flagrancy Unit, where the fire department’s legal team filed a complaint and submitted its reports.

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Remember that causing a forest fire can be punished with fines of more than