CARCHI, Ecuador
The mayor of the Espejo Canton, Cleber Andrade, said there are fears of the flames reaching directly to El Angel Ecological Reserve.
The reserve, located in the parishes of La Libertad and the Angel of the Espejo Canton, has an area of 16,541 hectares and supplies water to the entire province of Carchi by its soil’s ability of retaining the vital fluid.
In El Angel, several species of animals live, among them deers, rabbits, wolves and the condor, the last one is considered to be in great danger of extinction.
So far, several families have been evacuated because authorities say the fire in Carchi is one of the strongest in its history.
In the Espejo canton, fires have consumed about 2,800 hectares. (MZ)
