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Chubut Wildfire Ruled Arson With Reward Announced as 3,000 Evacuate

Officials launched a criminal probe with a cash reward after forensic teams found accelerant at the fire’s origin.

Overview

  • Prosecutor Carlos Díaz Mayer leads the investigation, which identified the ignition point and evidence of gasoline used to start the blaze in Puerto Patriada.
  • The provincial government posted a 50 million peso reward for information, announced alongside Interior Minister Diego Santilli in El Hoyo.
  • Roughly 1,800–2,000 hectares have burned and local officials report about ten homes destroyed, with evacuations focused on tourists and at-risk residents.
  • More than 180 firefighters and over 100 logistics staff are deployed with five water-bombing aircraft and a helicopter, reinforced by crews and assets from several provinces and the national fire service.
  • Authorities report security concerns in the area, citing a threatening call to a brigade and the discovery of grenades in Epuyén as the inquiry advances.