Wildfires have forced the evacuation of at least 3,000 people, primarily tourists, in the Argentine Patagonia as blazes consume over 3,000 hectares of forest. The fires, fueled by severe drought conditions and strong winds, have struck the Comarca Andina region, a popular tourist hub nestled in the Andes Mountains.
Okay News reports that Chubut province Governor Ignacio Torres confirmed the mass evacuation from the Puerto Patriada lake resort to ensure visitor safety.
The flames have threatened towns including El Bolson, Lago Puelo, and El Hoyo. Over 350 firefighters, supported by hydaplanes and helicopters, are battling the inferno, though massive columns of smoke are significantly hampering ground operations.
This marks the first large-scale wildfire of 2026 for the region, occurring just a year after the worst fires in decades devastated the area. Argentina’s National Fire Management Service has issued a red alert for fire danger across eight central and southern provinces as the summer season brings dangerous high temperatures.
