Forest fires burning across southern Argentina have scorched more than 15,000 hectares this week, authorities said, as firefighters continued containment efforts in the Patagonian region despite prolonged drought conditions.
The largest blaze is burning near the town of Epuyén, located in the Andean foothills of Chubut. The provincial fire service said the fire, which started on Monday, has already burned about 11,980 hectares.
Another fire remains active inside Los Alerces National Park, a protected area west of the provincial capital. Firefighters are also battling two additional blazes in Chubut and neighboring Santa Cruz, which Argentina’s emergency management agency said have burned a combined 3,800 hectares.
More than 500 firefighters, rescue workers, police officers, and support personnel have been deployed across the affected areas, supported by local residents assisting on the front lines. Health authorities told local media that a volunteer firefighter working near Epuyén remains in intensive care after suffering severe burns.
Rain fell Sunday afternoon in parts of Patagonia, bringing some relief to residents in the hardest-hit zones, including rural communities near Rincón de Lobos. Local tour operator Atilla Missura said conditions had eased in some areas, though fires remained active.
Chubut Governor Ignacio Torres said the situation was calmer on Sunday morning but warned it remains critical. He said the province is experiencing its worst drought since 1965 and urged the public not to downplay the impact of climate change on wildfire risk.
Authorities said about 3,000 tourists have been evacuated from affected areas in recent days, and at least 10 homes have been destroyed. Damage assessments are ongoing as crews work to prevent further spread of the fires.
