In the provinces Orellana and Sucumbios, around 400 km north of Sarayaku, oil operations have been going on for over 40 years with irreversible consequences for the environment and the population. Everywhere close to the oil wells so-called Metcheros – matches – can be found. These torches burn petroleum gas, a side product of oil drilling. They are lit 24 hours a day, causing intolerable heat in the surrounding area, and produce high air pollution with severe health effects for the people living there, such as headaches, respiratory problems and cancer.