Helicopters and firefighters combat wildfire on Quito’s Casitagua hill
Firefighters, aided by four helicopters, tackled a large blaze on Casitagua hill near Quito, prompting the evacuation of dozens of residents.
A major wildfire erupted on Casitagua hill, overlooking Quito, forcing firefighters and four helicopters to launch an intensive suppression effort. Captain Pablo Andino of the Quito Fire Department said roughly 100 firefighters were battling two active hotspots amid gusty winds and extremely dry conditions that have persisted for over a month. The blaze has scorched an estimated 100 hectares, according to Mayor Pabel Munoz, and threatens nearby military and police training academies as well as residential complexes.
Residents, including 68-year-old seamstress Marta Gonzalez, dug trenches and filled them with soil to halt the fire’s advance. Nearly 50 people were evacuated from northern Quito on Thursday, though no injuries or property loss have been confirmed so far. City officials have recorded close to 200 wildfires between June and September, underscoring a growing fire risk in the capital region.
Why it matters
The fire endangers Quito’s suburbs and highlights escalating wildfire risk from prolonged drought conditions.
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