Ecuador has declared a 60-day state of emergency in response to its worst drought in 60 years and record wildfires devastating large areas. The crisis, which has persisted for nearly 120 days, has severely impacted southern provinces like Azuay and Loja, with approximately 10,200 hectares (25,204 acres) of forest and land burned. Authorities are battling 13 active wildfires, while nine have been controlled. The drought has also caused significant water shortages, affecting hydroelectric power generation, which supplies over 70% of Ecuador’s energy, leading to daily power cuts of up to 14 hours.

Smoke rises as a wildfire burns in Quito, Ecuador, on September 25, 2024 [Karen Toro/Reuters]

This crisis is part of a broader South American drought linked to the El Niño phenomenon and climate change, with record wildfires also reported in Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, and Peru. NASA observed smoke plumes visible from space and record-low water levels in the Amazon basin, highlighting the severe regional impact.