This weekend, the fires in Chubut worsened with the activation of multiple secondary outbreaks that expanded the environmental catastrophe that has been hitting the province for more than a month and a half.
The critical scenario has already devastated more than 40,000 hectares between the Los Alerces National Park and Epuyén, while the fire surrounds the town of Cholila.
Currently, extreme weather conditions complicate containment efforts, with high temperatures and strong wind gusts spreading the fire outbreaks in Chubut.
At the moment, only in the Los Alerces National Park, a protected area, 20,000 hectares have already burned.
Meanwhile, the outbreak advancing from Epuyén has devastated another 22,000 hectares.
More fire outbreaks in Chubut
During the last weekend, the fires in Chubut worsened as wind gusts of up to 50 km/h generated secondary outbreaks in different sectors.
Firstly, the fire ignited the Puntiagudo Hill, on the west bank of the Carrileufú River, and advanced with “extreme behavior” towards provincial jurisdiction.
From the provincial Forest Secretariat, they reported that “after noon, with the increase in wind intensity, the reactivations were even greater, with extreme behavior and rapid spread.”
The fire affects the high area of Villa Lago Rivadavia and the western slope of Lago Rivadavia, including the Los Murmullos Ranch.
Meanwhile, in the Puerto Café region, at least three reactivated outbreaks have been identified, complicating the operation due to the fires in Chubut.
The Fire Management Service explained that “on the left flank, the fire crossed the strips built with manual tools over the last three days.”
Cholila, surrounded by flames
One of the areas most affected by the fires in Chubut is the town of Cholila, where the reactivation of outbreaks this weekend enveloped the area in fire.
Although the temperature dropped in the area and the wind subsided, the flames still advance on multiple fronts towards the town, with flames reaching up to 60 meters.
In this area of Chubut, the fire outbreaks surrounding Cholila are:
- The outbreak from Los Alerces approaches along the west bank of the Carrileufú River;
- the fire from Epuyén, advancing through the El Blanco valley towards Butch Cassidy’s cabin, and;
- a third front burning towards the northeast of La Momia Hill, east of Route 71.
“There is fire everywhere”, illustrated Alejandro Kitainik, owner of the Ruca Kitai inn in Chubut.
Tristán González Branca, owner of the La Pilarica lodge, described the situation: “Yesterday [Sunday] the wind blew a lot and the entire mountain in front of La Pilarica caught fire completely.”
And he warned: “The fire on this side almost reached Cholila, it’s very close.”
This was also detailed by the Secretary of Tourism of Cholila, Ailín Feu, who reported that the flames were “descending towards the urban area, from all fronts.”
The massive operation against the fires in Chubut and the restrictions due to the new outbreaks
For more than a month and a half, more than 500 brigade members and firefighters have been working in the operation to tackle the different fire outbreaks in Chubut.
In Villa Lago Rivadavia and Los Alerces Park, 145 combatants are operating, while in Epuyén, 175 brigade members are participating.
For now, the authorities have also closed Provincial Route 71 between Cholila and the junction with Route 40 “until further notice.”
However, the National Meteorological Service warned that the weather conditions will continue to be adverse.
Wind gusts of up to 70 km/h are expected for Tuesday, and towards the end of the week, temperatures could reach 31 and 32 degrees, increasing the risk of expansion of the fire outbreaks in Chubut.
Since December, the forest fires in Chubut have devastated native forests, shrubs, and plantations in different outbreaks. This situation keeps the entire mountain region on edge.
