ETAPA Warns Cuenca Is Back in High Forest-Fire Risk
Cuenca Expat Staff
Cuenca is back in a high-risk window for forest fires, especially in paramo and forest zones.
ETAPA EP, through its hydrometeorological network, warned on June 3 that higher temperatures have dried the pajonal and increased the chance of new fires in sensitive areas.
That matters for everyone here, not just hikers. The Cajas and nearby highland ecosystems are tied directly to Cuenca's water supply.
Why This Warning Matters
The concern is not theoretical. In November 2024, forest fires in Parque Nacional Cajas burned thousands of hectares and pushed Cuenca into an emergency declaration.
Sensitive areas including Llaviuco and Quitahuaycu were affected, and water sources that supply Cuenca were put at risk.
Across Azuay, forest fires consumed more than 15,800 hectares in 2024, about four times the area recorded in 2023. Around 2,900 hectares were counted in the Cajas area alone.
What To Do
If you are heading toward Cajas, rural parishes, or dry highland areas, be boringly careful:
- Do not burn trash or yard waste.
- Do not toss cigarette butts from cars or trails.
- Avoid campfires in dry grass or windy conditions.
- Report smoke early instead of assuming someone else already called.
ETAPA says control and emergency agencies are monitoring the situation. The practical part for residents is simple: this is a week to treat dry hillsides like they can turn fast.
