Forest fires in southern Argentina have scorched more than 15,000 hectares (37,000 acres) this week, authorities said, though rain began falling in parts of Patagonia on Sunday to the relief of residents.
The largest blaze, burning since Monday near the small Andean town of Epuyén, has charred some 11,980 hectares, the Chubut Province fire service said in a statement. Another fire of unspecified size is burning nearby in the Los Alerces National Park.
Firefighters are also battling to contain another two fires in Chubut and neighbouring Santa Cruz Province that have burned some 3,800 hectares, Argentina's emergency management agency said.
Cabinet Chief Manuel Adorni said on Sunday night that “22 of the 32 fires have been completely extinguished.”
On Sunday afternoon, rain fell in some parts of the region, to the relief of residents like Atilla Missura, a 59-year-old who leads horseback tours.
"We are very happy; hopefully it will stay this way," Missura said by telephone from Rincón de Lobos, one of the most affected areas.
More than 500 firefighters, rescuers, police officers, and support personnel were combating the blazes, while dozens of local people supported operations on the front lines.
“It's a state of alert, sadness and anguish at the same time, which you can't understand if you've never been in a fire. It's like a state of war,” said Missura, 59, who offers horse-riding trips to tourists in the region.
On Sunday, President Javier Milei expressed his gratitude tonight to the firefighters and volunteers fighting the blazes.
"Thank you to everyone who worked to get resources where they are needed," said the President in a post on social media.
"I would also like to send a special thank you to all the firefighters, fire brigade members and each and every one of the volunteers who are fighting the fire and giving their all. There is nothing more heroic than risking your life to save others," he said in a brief post on X.
In recent days, Milei’s government has received wage demands from firefighters, who earn between 600,000 and 900,000 pesos (approximately US$400 to US$600).
“You can't live on this, at least not in Argentina. In fact, many people are quitting because wages are not increasing. Most of my colleagues have other jobs,” firefighter Hernán Ñanco, 27, told AFP.
Milei’s government has been criticised by the opposition and environmental organisations for cuts to fire management service budgets.
Chubut Province Ignacio Torres said in a radio interview that the situation in the area was "calmer" on Sunday morning but it "remains very critical."
Torres urged people "never again to downplay the implications of climate change" and emphasized that the province is experiencing "the worst drought since 1965."
A volunteer firefighter working near Epuyén was in intensive care due to severe burns, health authorities told local media.
Approximately 3,000 tourists have been evacuated from the area in recent days, and at least 10 homes have been destroyed by the fire, Torres said.
The region lost 32,000 hectares to wildfires in early 2025.
– TIMES/AFP/NA
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