Ecuador's government declared a 60-day national emergency due to raging forest fires made worse by a severe drought, risk management officials said on Monday. The South American country faces 13 active wildfires and another nine that have been controlled,

QUITO -- Ecuador declared a 60-day national emergency to tackle wildfires, water shortages and drought afflicting the South American country, said Energy Minister Ines Manzano on Monday.

The 60-day state of national emergency comes as the country has struggled to take control over a series of wildfires taking place in several provinces. The Ecuadorian energy crisis has exacerbated the situation.