QUITO, Sept 25, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Quito, enveloped on Tuesday by clouds of ash and smoke from five simultaneous wildfires, is facing a "critical" situation, according to the mayor of the Ecuadoran capital.

"We have at least five fire hotspots," said Pabel Munoz on X, describing the situation as "critical at the moment."

The battle against the flames "will not end in the next few hours, it will certainly continue throughout the night," he said.

At least 14 houses were evacuated as a precaution, the municipality said in a statement, while the education ministry cancelled classes in Quito's metropolitan area.

Large clouds of smoke were billowing from the eastern outskirts of the capital, where two of the fire hotspots were concentrated, and many roads were cut off, AFP journalists observed.

In the residential district of Bellavista, northeast of Quito, residents formed human chains to pour water on the pavement, while elderly people left their homes with the help of police and soldiers.
President Daniel Noboa mobilized the armed forces in response to the fires.

"The (firefighting) helicopters will come to support as soon as the pilots can safely undertake their mission," he wrote on X.
The fire service had earlier posted on X that "all our teams are deployed."

There were also reports of ash falling in the north of the city, and in the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 
Three weeks ago, four forest fires had already covered several areas in and around the capital with smoke and ash, without affecting airport operations.

Ecuador is facing its worst drought in six decades.

Over the past year, 3,302 forest fires have been recorded, burning 37,808 hectares (93,400 acres) of vegetation.

Fourteen people have been injured, 797 affected and 44,742 livestock have died, according to a report published Tuesday by the Risk Secretariat.
Of the country's 24 provinces, 20 are on red alert due to a water crisis that is endangering 40,000 hectares (99,000 acres) of crops.