Wildfire in El Quinche complicates firefighters' night on August 2

A wildfire in El Quinche, northeast of Quito, significantly intensified overnight, posing a serious challenge for firefighters battling the blaze. Authorities have reinforced control operations as flames spread, prompting the deployment of both aerial and ground teams to prevent further expansion.

The fire's intensity increased during the night of Sunday, August 2, 2026, forcing emergency personnel to bolster containment efforts. Firefighters remain on site, working to control the spread and reduce the risk of the flames reaching new territories. Emergency teams report that challenging weather conditions and the area's topography have complicated extinction tasks.

The National Risk Management Secretariat is monitoring the situation and coordinating inter-institutional responses following the reactivation of the fire in the La Victoria sector of El Quinche. The Quito Fire Department is leading control and suppression efforts, utilizing the Argus 1 helicopter for aerial assessment of the event. Local authorities are also conducting air quality measurements to assess the smoke's impact on the population.

Local companies are providing support with water tankers, while firebreaks are being established to halt the fire's advance. According to the Secretariat's monitoring as of 8:00 PM on August 2, 2026, three active wildfires and two controlled wildfires were registered nationwide. The entity continues to track these incidents to protect lives, communities, and the environment.