I got a good look at the fires burning in the mountains just east of Vilcabamba yesterday or would've if they hadn't been creating so much smoke they blotted out the view. A view that is typically breathtaking. In fact, the view I've never tired of on the ride to Loja and back was depressing.
There was so much brown where there's usually so much green, even in the dry season. There were the charred remains resulting from earlier fires. What hadn't burnt looked like it was waiting for a fire, with several homes and businesses in perilous locations should a fire erupt.
The end of the return trip inspired hope, though, as the smoke had mostly cleared, even as there were still a half dozen hot spots burning. By last night, though, before we experienced our scheduled power cut at 8 lasting until midnight (in addition to the one from 10 until 3 earlier in the day), Sue reported the fires above Vilcabamba were extinguished.
Seems they threw everything but the kitchen sink at those fires, bomberos (firefighters) from two government agencies in Loja as well as the military, in addition to local firefighters and volunteers. Here are some photos of those who put out the fire - thank you for your service - the skies clear this morning... which means no rain anytime soon.
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