Wildfires Plague Ecuador

I have never been happier to see the rains come. Disregarding etiquette and discomfort to my neighbours, I cheered loudly, thanked God and walked a little in the rain to celebrate the relief. It has been very dry here. There has not been a drop of rain for months and Ecuadorians have taken to looking into the skies daily for a sign of darkening clouds.

The summer of 2012 brought devastation to Ecuador with fires double the average for the period in the South American country.  Thousands of hectares of forest have been burned since a series of fires started in the province of Pichincha, according to the country's Ministry of Environment.
So far, forest fires have killed five people and left 73 injured, consuming hectares of woodland, scrubland as well as crops. In all it was reported that there have been more than 3000 wildfires since June 1, when a period of drought set in.

A police chopper on duty
EstherWambui/Photos

Military chopper on fire-dousing duty
EstherWambui/Photos

The most affected provinces were Pichincha [where I live], Azuay, Bolivar, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi and Tungurahua.
The Ecuadorian armed forces deployed aircraft; helicopters and planes, as well as soldiers, to fight the fires. Even neighbouring countries including Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Costa Rica have sent in crews to help extinguish the flames.

EstherWambui/Photos

EstherWambui/Photos

EstherWambui/Photos

Although most people living in the Suburbs have not been directly affected by these fires, the constant smell of burning wood and billowing smoke from all directions has been hard to ignore. I have been constantly also reminded of the fire by the frequent sounds of helicopters flying above my place. I happen to live by the valleys’ only reservoir, where helicopters came by the minutes to collect water.

Ecuador’s topography, which is mostly hilly and mountainous, made it very difficult to quickly douse the flames and evidence of the fire is everywhere you go. Hopefully, with the rains, new vegetation will cover the blackened hills and forests and clean the reminders of a painful summer.


Link to Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlTvFoLGI-U