Firefighters struggle to contain Argentinian wildfires

Argentina is struggling to contain four seperate wildfires that are raging simultaneously in the country's southern regions.

The natural disaster has already destroyed more than 13,000 hectares of forest in Patagonia, a region that stretches over the South of the country and neighbouring Chile, Caliber.Az reports citing local media.

Reports indicate that the situation is gradually getting out of control due to the fire's intensity. One fatality has been reported so far. The weather is also hindering firefighting efforts, with winds reaching speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour, making it difficult for emergency responders to work. The fire has now spread to the banks of the Azul River, affecting several new forested areas.

A spokesperson for the Nahuel Huapi National Park explained that in recent days a “complex scenario” has arisen due to a cold front that brought winds of 30-40 km/h that have “intensified the fire activity in several sectors”. The park management predicts that the weather conditions with high temperatures and low humidity will cause further worsening of the situation.

Due to the emergency, local authorities have repurposed a regional sports center to accommodate people willing to evacuate from affected areas on their own. Additionally, the number of firefighters and specialists working to contain the blaze is expected to increase soon.

As Caliber.Az recalls, the situation in Argentina worsened at the end of January due to strong winds and high temperatures. A state of emergency has been declared in the country. The total damage caused by the fires has yet to be assessed, but the total area affected by the flames could reach 20,000 hectares. 

By Nazrin Sadigova