October is one of the driest months in Cusco, and this year wildfires are back in the headlines. If you are reading this from Cusco, from another region of Peru or from another country, you are probably looking for the same things: to understand what is happening, to know whether you can help and to decide what to do about your trip.

At Andean Wings Valley, in the Sacred Valley, we want to use this space to share verified information and to bring attention to an emergency that affects communities, ecosystems and the people working to put out the fires.

What is happening with the wildfires in Cusco

The numbers so far

According to a report from the Regional Disaster Risk Management Office of the Cusco Regional Government, released on October 21, wildfires have caused eight deaths in the region so far in 2026, and the latest death was reported that same day. The Regional Emergency Operations Center (COER) has recorded 371 fires and about 13,300 hectares affected. These figures change every day, so it is worth checking official sources before quoting them.

Where the fires have been reported

Reports from recent weeks mention fires in Urubamba, Calca, Canchis, Espinar, Chumbivilcas, Acomayo and Paruro. In Yanahuara, in the Sacred Valley, a fire left one person dead and two injured in early October.

The fire near the Señor de Huanca Sanctuary

On Sunday, October 18, a fire started near the Sanctuary of the Lord of Huanca, in the San Salvador district of Calca province. The fire spread toward Apu Pachatusan, a mountain that is sacred to the region. According to Andina and La República, firefighters brought the lower area under control, but the fire stayed active in the upper zone because of rough terrain and wind. On October 20, RPP reported that the fire was under control and that cleanup work was continuing. Firefighters and brigade members from San Sebastián, San Jerónimo and Pisaq took part in the response.

Police arrested a 44-year-old man the same day, and he was sentenced on October 20 after an agreement with the Environmental Prosecutor’s Office. According to Andina, the fire began when he threw part of a cigarette onto dry vegetation, and it affected more than six hectares of native species. The sentence included a suspended prison term, civil reparations, community service and an obligation to reforest the affected area.

Why fires start in the dry season

Dry vegetation, wind and high temperatures help fires spread, and this year conditions are harsher. ENFEN, Peru’s national El Niño monitoring committee, maintains its El Niño Costero alert, with a forecast magnitude described as extraordinary, which in the southern highlands and the Amazon usually means normal to below-normal rainfall. According to Senamhi, Peru’s national weather service, temperatures in Cusco and Urubamba exceeded 28 and 30 °C (82 and 86 °F) in October, with anomalies of 3 to 4 degrees above normal.

But the cause is usually human. According to the Ministry of Environment, 98% of wildfires in Peru are caused by human action, mainly by burning crop stubble, pastures and waste without proper precautions. That is a national figure from 2023, but it explains a pattern that repeats every year. In fact, the fire near the Señor de Huanca Sanctuary was attributed to a cigarette butt thrown onto dry vegetation, and in October two other people in the region were sentenced for burning brush and dry grass.

And it does repeat. In September 2025, a fire burned hundreds of hectares in the Sacred Valley, between Calca and Urubamba. Specialists warn that these fires are more frequent between August and November, especially in the Andes.

Is it safe to travel to Cusco and the Sacred Valley right now?

The fires are in localized areas, not across the whole region, but the situation can change from one day to the next. That is why we cannot give you an answer that holds for every date. What we do recommend:

  • Check the news and official notices before you set out, especially if you plan to hike or visit rural areas.
  • Ask your accommodation or travel agency about the condition of the routes you want to take.
  • If your itinerary is flexible, leave some margin in case an excursion has to change.
  • Follow your guides’ instructions: they know the terrain and which areas are best avoided.

Traveling informed does not mean canceling your trip, it means planning with up-to-date information.

How to help with the wildfires in Cusco

You do not have to be in Cusco to help. These are the channels we found in the press and in official sources. The information is from October 2026 and campaigns can close, so always confirm before sending or bringing anything.

If you want to support forest firefighters. Perú Pendiente works with Peru’s volunteer fire service (Cuerpo General de Bomberos Voluntarios del Perú) on a campaign to provide protective equipment and first aid supplies to those fighting the fires on the front line. You can follow the campaign’s status and how to donate on their official channels.

If you are in Cusco. Club Cienciano has a collection point at La Tienda del Papá (Calle Ramón Castilla 802). Confirm the hours before you go.

If you are in Lima. There are collection points at the headquarters of the volunteer fire service (Av. General Salaverry 2495, San Isidro) and at the Serfor office (Av. Javier Prado Oeste 2442, Magdalena del Mar), which accepts food, clothing and hygiene products for affected families. Confirm what they accept and their hours.

If you see smoke or fire. Serfor, Peru’s national forest and wildlife service, has a wildfire alert line on WhatsApp (+51 947 626 667) where you can send photos or videos, and they pass the report to the authorities. Serfor does not put out fires: if there is immediate danger, call emergency services or the fire department.

Two more recommendations. Donate only to organizations with a name and an official website, not to numbers circulating without backing. And before sharing a post about the fires, check the source: false information can get in the way of the people working in the field.

How to look after the land if you travel in the dry season

If you visit Cusco between August and November, you can help prevent fires too:

  • Do not light campfires or burn waste in natural or farming areas.
  • Do not leave cigarette butts or glass in the countryside.
  • If you see smoke, alert the authorities right away.
  • If you plan to hike, find out about restrictions in the area.

Taking care of the place you visit is part of the journey.

Plan your trip to the Sacred Valley with up-to-date information

If you have a trip planned or want to organize one, get in touch. At Andean Wings Valley we can tell you what the situation in the Sacred Valley looks like on your dates and help you plan your stay with peace of mind.

Frequently asked questions about wildfires in Cusco

Is starting a wildfire a crime, and what are the penalties?

Yes. In Peru, burning forests without authorization is a crime that the Penal Code punishes with up to six years in prison, and the penalty can increase if the fire affects protected areas or community lands, or puts lives at risk. It can also bring civil reparations, administrative fines and an obligation to reforest, as in the Calca case.

When does the wildfire season end?

According to the Ministry of Environment, fires are most frequent between August and November. When the rains arrive, the risk usually drops, although the timing varies from year to year.

An emergency that involves all of us

Wildfires are not only a problem for the communities who live through them up close. They affect landscapes, wildlife and the lives of people who depend on the land, and they are prevented by small decisions each of us makes. At Andean Wings Valley, we believe that good travel starts with taking care of the place we visit, and that staying informed, helping and preventing is one way to do it.

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