Devastating wildfires have ripped through a renowned tourist region in Argentine Patagonia, destroying vast swathes of forest, damaging properties, and triggering the evacuation of thousands of people.
Scale of the Disaster
The fires, which ignited on Monday, have already consumed around 3,000 hectares (30 square kilometres) of woodland in southern Argentina. The blazes are being driven by a dangerous combination of severe drought conditions and powerful winds, creating a volatile and fast-moving fire front.
A significant area of the Comarca Andina has been damaged. This region, nestled in the heart of the Andes Mountains, is one of Argentina's premier tourist destinations, famed for its stunning mountain vistas, pristine lakes, and lush forests popular with hikers and walkers.
Mass Evacuations and Firefighting Efforts
The inferno has forced a major evacuation operation. On Wednesday, Ignacio Torres, the governor of Chubut province, confirmed that "more than 3,000 tourists" had been relocated from the Puerto Patriada lake resort, alongside dozens of local residents.
More than 350 firefighters, supported by helicopters, amphibious planes, and air tankers, are battling the flames. However, officials report that their efforts are being severely hampered by massive columns of smoke, which have drastically reduced visibility for ground crews.
The affected area includes the popular Patagonian towns of El Bolson, Lago Puelo, and El Hoyo.
National Alert and Historical Context
In response to the extreme danger, Argentina's National Fire Management Service has issued a red alert for fire danger across eight central and southern provinces.
Forest fires are a common occurrence during the Argentine summer, which runs from December to March, due to high temperatures, strong winds, and dry conditions. This first large-scale fire of 2026 follows just one year after the worst blazes in decades, which razed tens of thousands of hectares in Patagonia, destroyed dozens of homes, and claimed at least one life.
