Fires in Argentine Patagonia rip through thousands of hectares of forest

Описание: (10 Jan 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
El Hoyo, Argentina - 9 January 2026
1. Wildfire engulfing trees ++MUTE++
2. Aerial of smoke billowing over forest ++MUTE++
3. Burning tree
4. Charred trees and smoldering embers
5. Burning trees
6. Firefighters working
7. Firefighter spraying water on fire at roadside
8. Men observing smoke
9. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Jorge Aranea, volunteer firefighter:
"What's happening is terrible with the fires all over this... All over this region, let's say. And we help as much as we can. It's sad to see everything burning, isn't it? And sometimes you do what you can and it's not enough. So, it's terrible what's happening, it's terrible."
10. Helicopter with bucket flying over forest fire ++MUTE++
11. Helicopter collecting water ++MUTE++
12. Various aerials of forest destroyed by fire ++MUTE++
++NIGHT SHOTS++
13. Aerial of wildfire burning through forest ++MUTE ++
14. Cars driving on road, wildfire in background
STORYLINE:
Fires continued to rage across 3,000 hectares of forests in parts of the Argentine Patagonia on Friday, burning homes and forcing the evacuation of hundreds of people.

Since Monday, flames have spread across a vast area of the "Comarca Andina" in southern Argentina, considered one of the top tourist destinations in the heart of the Andes Mountains.

More than 350 people were attempting to halt the fire with the help of air support — including helicopters, amphibious planes, and air tankers — according to the government of Chubut province.

The Andean Region of the 42nd Parallel is a tourist destination in Argentine Patagonia, including towns such as El Bolsón, Lago Puelo, and El Hoyo, known for their mountains, lakes, and forests — a paradise for trekking.

This is the first large-scale fire recorded in 2026.

It comes one year after the worst forest fires in decades razed tens of thousands of hectares in Patagonia, destroyed dozens of homes, and left one person dead.

Firefighting efforts have been hampered by drought conditions and strong winds, while massive columns of smoke have reduced visibility for ground crews.

Forest fires are common during the austral summer season due to the combination of high temperatures, strong winds, and drought that prevail between December and March.

The National Fire Management Service of Argentina has issued a red alert for fire danger in eight provinces across the country's center and south.

AP video by Maxi Jonas

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