Wildfires spread to 15,000 hectares in southern Argentina’s Patagonia

Firefighters battle the flames to extinguish a bushfire in Mount Pirque at El Hoyo, in the Patagonian region of Chubut province, Argentina on January 10. More than 15,000 hectares of forest have been consumed by wildfires in southern Argentina. Photo / Gonzalo Keogan, AFP

Forest fires in southern Argentina have scorched more than 15,000ha (37,000 acres) this past week, authorities said, though rain began falling in parts of Patagonia today to the relief of residents.

The largest blaze, burning near the small town of Epuyen in the Andes, has charred some 11,980ha, the Chubut provincial 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 provinces that have burned some 3800ha, Argentina’s emergency management agency said.

Rain finally 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 told AFP by telephone from Rincon 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.

The Governor of Chubut, Ignacio Torres, said in a radio interview that the situation in the area was “calmer” but it “remains very critical”.

Torres urged people “never again to downplay the implications of climate change” and emphasised that the province is experiencing “the worst drought since 1965”.

A volunteer firefighter working near Epuyen was in intensive care because of severe burns, health authorities told local media.

Approximately 3000 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 32,000ha to wildfires in early 2025.

- Agence France-Presse