A forest fire in the Yanque district of Caylloma province, Arequipa, remains active near the Uyo Uyo archaeological site after starting at around 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 29.
Strong wind gusts in the high-altitude zone are complicating firefighting efforts, pushing flames rapidly across dry natural pastures and heightening the risk of further spread through the Colca Valley.
No injuries or damaged residences have been reported so far, and authorities confirm no damage to the ancient archaeological complex. However, the close proximity of the ongoing blaze has put emergency agencies and local residents on high alert.
The Regional Emergency Operations Center of Arequipa (COER Arequipa) is tracking the situation closely to assess the progress of the disaster and evaluate potential impacts across surrounding communities.
Wind conditions accelerate fire spread in Yanque
Adverse weather conditions have emerged as the primary obstacle for teams attempting to halt the disaster. Powerful gusts recorded in the area continue to push flames over dry grass and vegetation, frustrating efforts to contain multiple active burn points.
Dense smoke generated by the vegetation fire has drifted across the surrounding mountain terrain. Yanque District Mayor José Sarayasi reported that smoke from the blaze has spread through the valley and reached neighboring sectors, including Coporaque, Yanque, and Chivay.
Hotel establishments located near the affected perimeter are situated approximately one kilometer away from the front of the fire.
In response to the advancing emergency, community members in Yanque have joined forces with local officials to establish containment lines and reduce the risk of flames reaching the Uyo Uyo archaeological complex.
Resource shortages prompt calls for emergency support
Mayor Sarayasi warned that local resources available to municipal personnel and residents are insufficient to manage the blaze effectively. He appealed for increased support, stating that additional personnel were urgently needed to help extinguish the fire.
Sarayasi noted that four municipal employees are working alongside local community volunteers to combat the fire. Their principal focus is preventing the flames from advancing into the archaeological precinct, given how easily the fire spreads through dry pastureland.
Officials confirmed that damage reported so far is confined to natural plant cover. Local residents and municipal workers continue operating in the area while challenging wind conditions hinder full containment.
Heritage site and regional geography
The Uyo Uyo archaeological site is an ancient settlement located in the Colca Valley near Yanque. Built originally by the Collagua culture and later inhabited and expanded by the Incas, the site features stone agricultural terraces, housing structures, and ceremonial plazas. It represents one of the primary historical and cultural landmarks in Caylloma province.
Yanque is a rural district in Caylloma province, situated within the Arequipa region of southern Peru. The district lies along the Colca River within the Colca Valley, a high-altitude Andean region known for steep canyon topography, agricultural terraces, and seasonal dry grass cover that increases vulnerability to wildfires during dry, windy periods. Nearby settlements such as Coporaque and Chivay, the provincial capital, share the same valley corridor.
The Regional Emergency Operations Center of Arequipa (COER Arequipa) functions as the regional government's disaster response body, tasked with monitoring natural hazards, coordinating emergency assistance, and providing public safety updates across the Arequipa department.
Monitoring operations to continue
COER Arequipa confirmed it will maintain continuous monitoring of the emergency area while the fire remains active to track the evolution of the disaster and evaluate further risks.
