Córdoba has been suffering from a new forest fire since last Sunday, this time in the Guasapampa area, in the Valle de Traslasierra.
This is a new fire just days after firefighters and brigadiers in the province managed to control the flames in Quebrada del Condorito and Villa Giardino.
The active focus in Traslasierra has already consumed almost 1500 hectares of native forest, including 250 hectares of the Traslasierra National Park.
Additionally, the fire that broke out in Quebrada del Condorito last Sunday, August 12, now controlled, destroyed almost 4000 hectares.
In particular, 3642 hectares burned in the Quebrada del Condorito National Park and 130 in a smaller event in Villa Giardino, in the Punilla valley.
The event in Traslasierra keeps the provincial authorities on alert and affects various communities in the Minas department.
Currently, the weather conditions and difficult topography complicate the extinction tasks.
New fire in Traslasierra: the emergency operation
The fight against the fire in Traslasierra involves a large-scale operational deployment.
According to the Federal Emergency Agency, two turboprop water bomber planes with a capacity of over 3,000 liters, two helicopters with helibucket, and two additional provincial means are working in the area.
The ground personnel includes:
- The Technical Team for Disaster Action (ETAC) of Córdoba;
- the Volunteer Firefighters;
- the brigadiers of the Central Brigade, and;
- teams from National Parks.
The firefighters are transported daily by helicopters because the fire is located in a very difficult access area.
Adverse conditions hinder fire control
The spokesperson for the Secretariat of Climate Risk and Disaster Management, Roberto Schreiner, explained to Cadena 3 that the weather conditions are adverse.
“There are no rivers or streams nearby, nor to be able to draw water with these motor pumps,” the official specified.
Additionally, the work is hindered by the fact that the fire advances over ravines and irregular topography terrain.
On Tuesday, the northern winds fueled the flames and further complicated control operations.
According to the Minas Departmental Directorate, the fire in Traslasierra is heading towards the Los Sunchos area, entered through Santa Elena, and the flow is advancing towards the Charquina area.
Communities at risk due to the fire in Traslasierra and extreme provincial alert
The provincial government reported on Thursday that “joint work is being maintained to contain the fire’s advance and protect nearby communities”.
In particular, the Guasapampa area is the most affected by the disaster, which keeps dozens of families worried.
The authorities maintain the extreme alert for forest fire risk throughout the province of Córdoba.
Additionally, they reminded that it is forbidden to light fires in rural and forest areas to prevent new outbreaks.
For its part, the Federal Emergency Agency issued a special weather forecast for the active fire, a tool that facilitates operational decision-making.
This Friday, the teams continue to work intensely despite the strong winds and the difficulties of the terrain.
For their part, the authorities monitor the evolution of the forest fire that has been active for five days in the Valle de Traslasierra.
