The Peruvian National Civil Defense Institute (INDECI) confirmed on Wednesday that five people lost their lives and eleven were injured in a forest fire in the Ihuayllo district of the Aymaraes province, situated in the southern Andean region of Apurímac. The search for missing persons in the affected area has concluded. INDECI’s latest update notes that 11 individuals were injured, seven of whom have already received medical discharge, alongside damages to livestock and natural cover across four Ihuayllo zones since the blaze began late last week.
Search operations for the victims benefited from the presence and cooperation of several national agencies. The Peruvian Army’s 5th Mountain Brigade, the Rapid Disaster Response Company, the 35th Motor Rifle Battalion, along with the Emergency Unit (UNEME) and Special Services Unit, supported the relief and recovery work. The Peruvian National Police also contributed to the ongoing response.
Firefighters from the brigade and members of the Peruvian Volunteer General Association of Firefighters worked to bring the fire under control. As a precaution, classes were suspended at Federico Kauffmann Doig educational institutions. The Ministry of National Education’s Sectoral Emergency Operations Center reported the affected schools, Virgin Immaculate and another designated center, as part of the emergency response measures.
The Apurímac regional government announced the deaths of the two initial victims, a 55-year-old man named Julio Arbieto Callo and a 45-year-old man named Percy Pérez Baldarrago, expressing sincere condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the forest fire.
In a coordinated national response, the Ministry of Defense arranged for a Peruvians Air Force (FAP) aircraft to move from Lima to Cusco. Personnel from the Mobile Emergency Care Service (SAMU) would be transported by Army helicopter to the city of Abancay. The operation aimed to evacuate four critically ill patients to Lima for advanced care.
The incident underscores the importance of rapid interagency cooperation in mountain regions, where terrain and weather can complicate both containment efforts and medical evacuations. Authorities continue to monitor conditions in Apurímac, provide shelter and resources to affected residents, and assess the broader environmental and agricultural impact of the fire. Community leaders have urged residents to follow official advisories and to report any new signs of smoke or renewed fire risk to authorities immediately, ensuring timely protective action for nearby communities and livestock.
Officials reiterate that the response plan remains focused on saving lives, minimizing further harm to people and animals, and restoring essential services in the affected localities. Ongoing updates will be issued as new information becomes available and as field teams complete their assessments across the four affected zones in Ihuayllo.