Ecuador Sierra forest fires burn 28,404 hectares, six active

Six forest fires remain active across three provinces in Ecuador's Sierra region, with the burned area expanding from 27,139 to 28,404 hectares between October 12 and 16. The ongoing fires indicate a sustained environmental emergency, though the specific provinces and containment status are not detailed. This development underscores the severity of the dry-season fire risk in the Andean highlands.