Huge forest fires: Fire brigade evacuates thousands of tourists from holiday region

Buenos Aires (Argentina) – During the peak holiday season, the southern Argentinian region of Patagonia is hit by devastating forest fires. According to local media, the provinces of Chubut, Río Negro and Santa Cruz are particularly badly affected – more than 15,000 hectares of land have been destroyed by the fires in the past few days. Around 3,000 tourists have now been evacuated.

The governor of Chubut province, Ignacio Torres, spoke to Radio Miter about one of the worst environmental crises the province has ever experienced. Torres: “Every year there are fires, whether accidental or intentional, but now each fire is growing exponentially and is very difficult to control.” The fires are being promoted by strong winds and the fact that the region is currently experiencing “the worst drought since 1965”.

With fires in Puerto Patriada, Epuyén, El Hoyo, El Bolsón and Los Alerces National Park as well as other places, the provinces of Chubut and Río Negro are the most affected, writes the portal pagina12.com.

Houses destroyed – firefighter injured

In total, more than 500 emergency services are currently fighting Fire department and police and other emergency services extinguished the flames. Firefighting aircraft are also in use. Dozens of residents support the rescue workers on site. A firefighter was taken to hospital with severe burns, Argentine media reported, citing health authorities. At least ten houses were destroyed by the flames and other communities are threatened.

Arson? High reward for clues

The cause of the rage since last Monday Forest fires in the popular holiday region is still unclear. Governor Torres spoke on Thursday of indications that one of the largest fires still active had been deliberately set. “The villains who started the fire will end up in prison.” He offered a reward of 50 million pesos (around 29,000 euros) for information about the incidents. Nobody has been arrested so far.

Although the situation recently eased as it began to rain lightly, Torres continued to speak of a “very critical” situation. Last year, tens of thousands of hectares of forest in Patagonia were devastated and dozens of houses were destroyed by fire. There was also one fatality.