Overview
- The blaze near Puerto Patriada that began January 5 has forced the evacuation of more than 3,000 people and destroyed at least ten homes, with intermittent closures on Route 40.
- Forensic teams detected fuel vapors at the suspected ignition site and prosecutors released an image of the trunk where the fire began, reinforcing the intentional-ignition hypothesis.
- Governor Ignacio Torres vowed exemplary sanctions, announced a 50 million‑peso reward for leads, and set a Monday meeting with security officials and prosecutors on the case.
- More than 300 firefighters and volunteers, supported by aircraft from several provinces and Chile—including a Boeing 737 Fireliner—are battling difficult terrain and recurring flare-ups.
- Extreme drought, high temperatures and strong winds triggered an SMN orange alert, with officials warning of a volatile situation despite a small chance of isolated showers on Sunday.