A large-scale fire broke out last Saturday near Bahía Blanca, in the Villarino district, and consumed 5000 hectares of dense vegetation and forest.
The fire remained active for three days and required the intervention of more than one hundred volunteer firefighters from 10 localities to control the flames.
The fire covered areas between Mayor Buratovich and Algarrobo, in the southwest of Buenos Aires province.
According to the official report, the affected area reached about 5600 hectares, a figure that could increase when the definitive survey is conducted.
Fire in Bahía Blanca: the emergency operation with aerial and ground resources
To combat the fire, it was necessary to deploy aerial and ground resources in a coordinated manner.
The city’s Secretary of Security, Gustavo Pacheco, explained in dialogue with the media: “The water bomber plane was withdrawn after intense work by air and land with all the public servants of the district and the area”.
The Federal Emergency Agency provided a water bomber plane with a capacity of more than 3,000 liters. This aerial resource collaborated with ground teams during the extinguishing tasks of the fire.
The Emergency Operations Committee (COE) reported that the fire managed to maintain an active front of one thousand meters in length, advancing northward.
The magnitude of the incident activated the Operational System of Regional Organization, which coordinated the work of the 11 intervening units.
More than 100 firefighters against the fire in Bahía Blanca
Fighting the fire required the presence of around one hundred volunteer firefighters from:
- Pedro Luro
- Hilario Ascasubi
- Mayor Buratovich
- Médanos
- Algarrobo
- Villalonga
- Pradere
- Ingeniero White
- Monte Hermoso
- General Cerri
- Stroeder
In addition to the firefighters, brigades from Civil Defense and municipal workers also participated.
The latter worked with heavy machinery to create firebreaks to stop the advance of the flames towards other vulnerable areas.
The Forest Fire Brigade of Official Firefighters was responsible for monitoring the affected area. This monitoring was key to coordinating firefighting strategies.
No victims, but with suspicions of intentionality
According to the official report released, no damage to animals or people has been recorded so far.
This situation represents a relief amid the environmental emergency that affected the region.
However, Pacheco noted that the origin of the fire has not yet been confirmed.
There are rumors of an intentional act, although authorities have not ruled out any hypothesis until the investigation is completed.
The head of Security added: “There were meetings with rural producers to inform them that they must keep the firebreaks active to prevent fires from spreading”. This statement reinforces the need for prevention in the area.
The official also thanked the interinstitutional coordination that allowed controlling the incident.
The joint response of multiple agencies was crucial to prevent the fire from continuing to spread across the Buenos Aires territory.
