Quito authorities fine hundreds for open-air burning
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In Quito, Ecuador, local authorities issued 235 fines to people burning materials in open spaces between June 1 and September 14, 2026.
The number of fines already exceeds the total from all of the 2025 dry season, when officials registered 219 similar infractions. These fines range from $241 to $36,150 US dollars, depending on the severity of the offense, as determined by Quito’s Metropolitan Ordinance for Comprehensive Fire Management.
The majority of the fines, 69 percent, came from three zones within the city: Tumbaco, with 61 fines, Los Chillos, with 52, and La Delicia, with 48. Gustavo Chiriboga, a Metropolitan Supervisor for the AMC, emphasized that patrols cannot replace individual responsibility and warned that burning garbage or plant debris can cause emergencies. Quito’s municipal government is conducting patrols and joint operations in areas prone to fires.
These efforts aim to catch people burning materials illegally and stop fires before wind, climate, and dry vegetation spread them to populated areas or natural reserves. Officials urged residents to avoid open-air burning, noting that the city ordinance imposes increasing financial penalties for misuse of flammable materials.
