Ecuador's Pichincha braces for El Niño: 51 fire-prone zones, 321 flood-risk neighborhoods

Authorities in Pichincha, Ecuador, have mapped 51 areas vulnerable to wildfires and 321 neighborhoods at risk of flooding and landslides as El Niño conditions intensify. The province faces compound hazards—heavy rain, drought, and forest fires—within the same season, complicating disaster response. The announcement signals proactive preparedness but underscores the heightened vulnerability of Quito's urban periphery.