Forest fires forces evacuation of 3000 in Argentina - one year after the record fires in early 2025
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According to the Buenos Aires Herald, authorities in southern Argentina have evacuated more than 3,000 tourists as fast‑moving wildfires continue to burn across the Patagonian province of Chubut, forcing closures of popular holiday areas and prompting a major emergency response.
The sites says, quoting the Argentine branch of Greenpeace, that over 4,000 hectares of wild forest and homes have been affected since mid-December in the Patagonia area.
According to the Independent, at least 2,000 hectares of vegetation have been destroyed, with additional fires reported in the provinces of Neuquén, Santa Cruz and Río Negro, as well as parts of southern Buenos Aires province.
Chubut Governor Ignacio Torres said the evacuation included both tourists and local residents, describing the situation as “advancing at giant strides.
According to FRI.fr, Torres said at least one of the fires was the result of arson, and announced a reward of 50 million pesos (about $33,000) for information.
Local prosecutors reported that accelerants such as lighter fluid or gasoline were found at the ignition point, supporting suspicions of arson.
Video published by international outlets showed large columns of smoke rising from forested slopes as firefighters, police, helicopters and water‑bombing aircraft worked to contain the flames.
The fires come one year after Patagonia suffered its worst wildfire season in three decades, during which tens of thousands of hectares burned.
According to RFI.fr, nearly 32,000 hectares -- an area twice the size of Brussels -- was burnt in Argentine Patagonia in January and February 2025.
Authorities have issued a red alert for extreme fire conditions and urged visitors to avoid affected regions until containment efforts progress.