Overview
- Roughly 3,000 hectares have burned since Monday in the Comarca Andina, a major tourist region in the Andes.
- More than 3,000 tourists were evacuated from the Puerto Patriada lake resort along with several dozen residents, according to Chubut Governor Ignacio Torres.
- Over 350 responders are deploying helicopters, amphibious planes and air tankers, with heavy smoke severely limiting visibility for ground crews.
- Argentina’s National Fire Management Service says the red alert covers eight central and southern provinces facing elevated risk.
- Drought conditions and strong winds are driving the fires, which are affecting towns including El Bolsón, Lago Puelo and El Hoyo.