Cuenca air quality hits danger level as fires rage; Cajas National Park closes as part of emergency measures

Air quality in Cuenca reached the danger level early Saturday morning, as fires continue to burn in the Cajas Mountains. The reading of 316 in the fine particulate matter category was the highest ever recorded by the University of Azuay air quality monitoring center.

Helicopters with Bambi buckets are dropping water on fire lines the Cajas Mountains 24 hours a day.

Air quality recovered dramatically throughout the day and was in the moderate range by late afternoon. A manager at the University of Azuay monitoring center cautioned, however, that the improvement may not last, since fires continue to burn around the city. He added that Saturday’s improvement was largely due to a change of wind direction.

In a morning meeting, the Azuay Province Emergency Operations Committee closed the Cajas National Park, where at least three fires are burning, and issued a ban on large outdoor events. It urged residents to remain indoors if possible and to wear face coverings and eye protection when they go out.

The Cajas fires, as well as six others near Cuenca, have prompted a state of emergency declaration from both national and local governments. Of 28 drought-fueled fires burning the country, at least 15 of them are in Azuay and Loja Provinces. A fire that has consumed more than 3,100 hectares in the Podocarpus National Park continues to burn near San Pedro de Vilcabamba.

According to the National Risk Management Office, Azuay and Loja Provinces are the hardest-hit by the drought that is being called the worst in Ecuador history.

Smokey conditions showed some improvement on Saturday over Thursday and Friday.

Although the Cuenca Fire Department reports a perimeter has been established around large fires near Cruzpamba and Molleturo, it says the blazes are “still not under control.” An assistant fire commander said that terrain of more than 45% grades prevents firefighters from entering many areas near the fire lines.

At least four helicopters equipped with Bambi buckets are working around the clock, dropping water on the flames.

On Friday, the Peru Interior Ministry told the Cuenca command that it was sending a team and a helicopter to assist in the fire fight. A second Peruvian team is being dispatched to Loja Province.

The COE said that fire crews and equipment from throughout Ecuador are also arriving in Cuenca. The Cuenca airport is operating 24-hours a day as personnel and equipment, including four-wheel drive off-road vehicles, arrive by air.

The COE said that local volunteer teams are being organized in Chaucha, Molleturo, Baños, Sayausí and Cumbe, where fires are burning.

A local radio station reported at noon Saturday that most Cuenca residents appear to be ignoring the health warnings. Radio Tomebamba said that historic district streets and sidewalks were thronged with shoppers and tourists, most of them not wearing masks. “Why not enjoy the day?” one man told a reporter. “It’s a beautiful Saturday and the smoke from yesterday has cleared and we still have electricity.”

Scheduled power blackouts will return on Monday for most of Cuenca, according to the Centrosur utility company. Blackouts were suspended last week for the Ibero-American Summitt.

On Saturday afternoon, the ETAPA meteorology office said “no significant rain” was in the forecast.