large clouds of smoke over Ecuador's capital

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.

The municipality said in a statement that at least 14 houses were evacuated as a precaution 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. President Noboa mobilized the armed forces in response to the fires and the fire service had earlier posted on X that all their teams are deployed.