Overview
- The national government reported 22 of 32 detected fire foci extinguished, with a coordinated operation of roughly 295 brigadistas, federal forces and aerial assets continuing on the ground.
- Governor Ignacio Torres cautioned that the principal fire remains active near populated areas, noting evacuations and destroyed homes after rainfall offered only temporary relief.
- Chubut’s fiscal general said forensic experts detected fuel vapors at the suspected ignition point near Puerto Patriada and Lake Epuyén, reinforcing the arson hypothesis.
- The provincial government will file as a plaintiff in the investigation to seek the most severe penalties for those responsible.
- The fires, which began around January 5, have burned roughly 12,000 hectares as President Javier Milei publicly thanked firefighters, brigadistas and volunteers working to contain the emergency.