Feb 8 • 18:27 UTC 🇦🇷 Argentina Clarin (ES)

Change of firefighters, cooling and active hotspots: how the fires are progressing in Chubut

Authorities in Chubut are continuing to battle active fires following a declaration of fire emergency in Patagonia, with ongoing cooling efforts and firefighter rotations.

After the declaration of a fire emergency in Patagonia, authorities in Chubut, along with firefighters from other provinces, are tirelessly combating the raging fires. Although several hotspots have been contained, the firefighting efforts are relentless, employing both aerial and ground maneuvers for cooling operations while preparing for the first stages of reconstruction. The Provincial Fire Management Service reports that three fires are still active, including one in Los Alerces National Park, at the mouth of the Tigre River-Lago Cholila, and a section in Puerto Patriada.

In Los Alerces, fire activity persists in the Villa Lago Rivadavia area, where the focus is on identifying "hot spots" and executing cooling operations. Similar actions are being undertaken in the Lago Cholila region, though concerns have arisen due to a reactivation of the fire on Saturday, prompting the deployment of firefighting aircraft including water-dropping planes and helicopters. Another actively monitored area is located on the left flank of the affected zone, indicating the ongoing challenges faced by firefighting teams as they strategize to contain the spread while preparing for recovery efforts after the fires are under control.

The local and provincial authorities are facing significant challenges as they navigate the logistics of firefighting amid rugged terrains and adverse weather conditions exacerbated by the emergency. The rotation of personnel, including firefighters from different regions, highlights the scale of the emergency response, as they work to ensure safety for both the fire-affected communities and the natural landscape. The incident emphasizes the need for environmental preparedness as regions like Patagonia increasingly experience such disasters, pointing towards both climate change impacts and forest management policies that may require reevaluation in the future.

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