Quito Declares State of Emergency as Wildfires Rage

Authorities arrest suspect as firefighters battle blazes exacerbated by severe drought, displacing residents and disrupting daily life.

Overview

Quito's mayor declared a state of emergency to facilitate coordinated firefighting efforts and access to resources.
A 19-year-old suspect was arrested with a gallon of fuel, believed to have intentionally started one of the fires.
The wildfires have injured six people, destroyed seven homes, and displaced over 100 families in the capital.
Severe drought conditions, the worst in 60 years, have intensified the fires and led to rolling blackouts across Ecuador.
Schools and government offices in Quito have been closed, with residents urged to stay indoors due to poor air quality.