Overview
- On Oct. 19 the National Institute of Civil Defense (Indeci) reported 12 deaths and about 832 people affected by a wave of fires that authorities say are active across multiple regions.
- The blaze near the Santuario del Señor de Huanca on Apu Pachatusan, which began Sunday, October 18, climbed to higher elevations and stalled crews because steep slopes and strong winds made access dangerous.
- Emergency teams from local fire companies and regional brigades continue ground efforts in Cusco while the Policía Ecológica has detained at least one person and the Fiscalía has opened investigations into the origin of the Pachatusan fire.
- A separate mid-October fire in Paruro resulted in the sentencing of municipal worker Mario Córdoba, who received a suspended prison term, community service, fines and a court order to reforest roughly 10 hectares.
- Experts point to extreme heat, prolonged drought, strong winds and the common use of agricultural and pasture burns as key causes, and they warn that Peru lacks enough trained rural brigades and equipment to control widespread wildfires, which will likely strain health services and conservation efforts.