Wildfires in Argentine Patagonia have burned over 15,000 hectares this week, with the largest blaze near Epuyén consuming about 11,980 hectares. Rain on Sunday brought some relief, but officials warned conditions remain critical. More than 500 emergency personnel and dozens of local volunteers are battling the fires while roughly 3,000 tourists were evacuated and at least 10 homes destroyed. Authorities linked the blazes to an acute drought they call the worst since 1965.
Heavy Wildfires Scorch Over 15,000 Hectares of Argentine Patagonia; Rain Brings Fragile Relief
Firefighters battle to extinguish a bushfire in Chubut province of Argentina's Patagonian region (Gonzalo KEOGAN)(Gonzalo KEOGAN/AFP/AFP)
Wildfires across Argentine Patagonia have burned more than 15,000 hectares (about 37,000 acres) this week, authorities said, as firefighters and local volunteers raced to contain multiple blazes. Rain began falling in parts of the region on Sunday, offering welcome but still tentative relief for communities and emergency crews.
The largest fire, burning since Monday near the Andean town of Epuyén, has consumed roughly 11,980 hectares, the Chubut provincial fire service said. A separate blaze of unspecified size remains active inside Los Alerces National Park. Two additional fires in Chubut and neighboring Santa Cruz provinces have together scorched about 3,800 hectares, according to Argentina's emergency management agency.
Response and Impact
More than 500 firefighters, rescuers, police officers and support personnel have been deployed, and dozens of local residents have joined frontline operations. Authorities said roughly 3,000 tourists were evacuated from affected areas in recent days, and at least 10 homes were destroyed.
A volunteer firefighter working near Epuyén was reported to be in intensive care with severe burns, local health officials told the media. Residents in hard-hit communities such as Rincón de Lobos welcomed the Sunday showers. “We are very happy; hopefully it will stay this way,” said 59-year-old horseback tour operator Atilla Missura by telephone to AFP.
Official Warnings
Chubut Governor Ignacio Torres said the situation was “calmer” on Sunday morning but cautioned it “remains very critical.” He urged Argentines not to downplay the implications of climate change, noting the province is enduring what he called “the worst drought since 1965.”
Earlier in the year the region lost another 32,000 hectares to wildfires in early 2025, underscoring the season’s unusually severe fire risk. Authorities continue to monitor weather and fire behavior closely as containment operations proceed.
Context: Drought, high temperatures and strong winds can rapidly worsen wildfires; rain can help but does not immediately end the danger. Recovery and damage assessments will continue once conditions allow.
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