While the fires in Patagonia still cannot be controlled, wildfires in Corrientes are also spreading. In this province, which is going through a season of droughts and a strong heatwave, around 100 thousand hectares have already been burned.
This was reported by the provincial government in the last few hours. Additionally, in one of the affected towns, a fatal victim was recorded. 30 houses were evacuated preventively in Curuzú Cuatiá.
Wildfires in Corrientes: how they started
The Corrientes territory has been in an extreme situation since January, due to the “historic drought,” as it is described. Although the specific causes of the origin have not been determined, fires with intentional intentional origins or due to human intervention are frequent.
The situation brings back the worst memories, such as that of the 2020-2021 season, in which the fires devastated nearly 1,700,000 hectares of fields and wetlands.
Active fires
Currently, two major wildfires have been identified. The first, of greater magnitude and danger, is located on National Route 14, near the city of Bonpland.
The coordinator of the Operational Emergency Command of the Corrientes province, Bruno Lovinson, stated to local media that the fire started “in the field area, spread to a forestation, and has a significant magnitude.”
The other fire is developing in the area of San Salvador, where the flames broke out around noon on Sunday, near Route 126. Due to the wind and weather conditions, the fire started to move northward.
Other areas affected last week include Curuzú Cuatiá, Mercedes, Perugorría, and Villa Olivari. The flames spread rapidly due to strong winds and high temperatures typical of summer in the region, while the combustible material facilitated their expansion.
The fire claimed a fatal victim
In Mercedes, last Monday, the fire caused the death of Cindia Alejandra Mendoza, the director of a rural school, in the town of Mariano I. Loza, also known as Estación Solari.
The 30-year-old woman tried to contain the fire near the ranch where her father was. A fire whirlwind caught her, burning 80% of her body. Although she was quickly taken to the Las Mercedes Hospital, she suffered five cardiac arrests and died.
How the fires are being fought in Corrientes
In the affected areas, two water bomber planes, a helicopter, and two brigades from the northeast of the National Fire Management System, firefighters, Civil Defense agents, and provincial brigade teams are working.
So far, the provincial Executive will not declare a fire emergency as it did in 2022. This regulation facilitates the direct purchase of supplies to address the fire emergency.
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