Forest fires in southern Argentina, in pictures

1The fire started last Tuesday in a sector known as Las Golondrinas, almost at the same time that another fire started in Cerro Radal that got out of control due to the action of the wind and high temperatures.

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2The wind spread the flames rapidly, devastating forests and houses and causing burns to dozens of people, some of them seriously.

Matias Garay AP

3Some of the localities in danger from the fires are Lago Puelo, El Hoyo, Cholila, El Maitén and Epuyén, north of the province of Chubut, in Patagonia.

Matias Garay AP

4A house on fire in the region in Las Golondrinas, Chubut province, Argentina, this Wednesday.

Matias Garay AP

5 The Argentine government sent this Wednesday more than 60 brigade members from different provinces to combat the flames that spread and have destroyed some 2,000 hectares.

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6According to the authorities, among the main causes of forest fires is the use of fire to prepare grazing areas.

Also the bonfires and badly extinguished cigarette butts.

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7The fire surrounded the town of El Hoyo and there were between 20 and 30 light injuries, in addition to houses burned, the number of which has not yet been specified by the authorities.

Matias Garay AP

8 About twenty Argentine provinces have been affected by recurring fires since 2020, largely caused by drought.

Matias Garay AP