Forest fires in Argentina consume 15,000 hectares, forcing the evacuation of thousands
Firefighters in Argentina are continuing their fierce battle against forest fires that have raged across southern Patagonia, consuming more than 15,000 hectares of land since Monday. Local authorities, supported by hundreds of firefighters and volunteers, are working around the clock to contain the flames, which have been fanned by strong winds, turning the picturesque tourist region into a scene of natural disaster.
The Chubut Provincial Fire Department stated in an official statement released Sunday that the fire was concentrated mainly near the town of Ipuyin, strategically located between a glacial lake and densely forested hills, where the flames alone consumed approximately 12,000 hectares. The fire first ignited on Monday in the Puerto Patriada area, about 1,700 kilometers southwest of Buenos Aires, before spreading dramatically.
Large-scale evacuation of tourists and residents
In an urgent response to the escalating danger, Chubut Governor Ignacio Torres announced an evacuation plan that included approximately 3,000 tourists and 15 families from the town of Ipuwen, after the fires engulfed more than ten homes. Officials indicated that increased wind speeds on Saturday afternoon played a negative role in reigniting the fires, creating a direct threat to the power plant near Lake Ipuwen, prompting a high-level mobilization to protect critical infrastructure.
A threat to world heritage and the environment
The disaster extends beyond direct material losses, threatening global natural treasures. Another large fire is raging within Los Alerces National Park , a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2017. Spanning nearly 200,000 hectares, this park boasts unique biodiversity, including ancient Alerces forests (Patagonian cypress), glacial basins, and a network of pristine lakes. The burning of parts of this park represents a devastating environmental loss for the South American ecosystem.
Patagonia, in general, faces increasing environmental challenges during the southern summer. High temperatures, drought, and the region's notoriously strong winds contribute to the rapid spread and difficulty of wildfires. Emergency crews are also currently working to contain other fires in the provinces of Chubut and Santa Cruz, which have already burned an additional 3,800 hectares, making this one of the most challenging fire seasons the region has seen in recent years.
Despite Governor Torres's statements that the situation was relatively "calmer" on Sunday, he stressed that the situation remained "very critical," requiring continued intensive efforts and aerial and ground surveillance to prevent the fires from spreading to residential areas or other nature reserves.
