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Argentina’s northern region is hit by raging wildfires following a scorching heatwave.
People in Argentina are hopeful light rains that began over the weekend will help firefighters curb blazing wildfires that have ravaged farms, pastures and wildlife in the country’s north in recent weeks.
Eight separate fires in Argentina’s Corrientes province have devastated almost 800,000 hectares (1.98 million acres), according to officials.
The choking smoke has made the days seem like night. Flames consume approximately 30,000 hectares (74.130 acre) per day, destroying as much as 9 percent of an agriculturally dependent region.
“This is atypical, historic. It’s never happened. We’ve never lived something like this,” local resident Jorge Ayala said. “We’re really overwhelmed. This is what I can now tell you. This is a blow for the province.”
The fires started in mid-January thanks to strong winds, low humidity, and dryness due to drought. Forecasters indicated that light rains that started on Sunday would continue through the week, providing relief to a region that’s suffered. Extreme heatand drought. Paraguay’s mainly rural province, which borders Paraguay, receives plenty of rain.
Luis Candia was one of the residents who helped firefighters extinguish wildfires in Corrientes. He was wearing a waterpack on his back, and his face was covered to protect him against the smoke and flames.
“The truth is that the province is experiencing a catastrophe with these fires,” Candia said, taking a break from trying to douse blazes that had burned farming regions and wetland areas rich with wildlife.
“There is a lot of loss of animals, the issue of flora and fauna. This was also our source of income. If we lose this, what will become of us tomorrow?” he said.
Firefighters, police and volunteers have been trying for weeks to put out the fires, which have taken hold amid drought linked to the La Niña climate phenomenon as temperatures have risen Around the globe.
“Everything came together; the drought of a year and a half, the high temperatures, the lack of rain and the hydric stress that the plants already have, even the soil itself,” Josefina Piñeiro, a resident of Corrientes, told Reuters.
Images show large areas of burned fields, smoldering roots of trees and animals fleeing the fire. All corners of Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia have seen firefighting units arrive.
Local residents join forces with firefighters to extinguish a flame that has consumed trees and pastures in San Luis del Palmar (Argentina). [Matias Baglietto/Reuters]Authorities estimate that losses have reached more than 26 million Argentine pesos, or $240m. Experts say the province will need to recover over time. Argentina has Exports of beef are limitedThis year, there was a shortage of rain.
Artists and public figures are working together to raise funds for victims. Meanwhile, donations of basic goods are flooding into the area.
People are bringing fruit, water and ice, said Laura Núñez, a volunteer helping to fight the blazes. “They bring it in a trailer; they are getting everything possible so that we can focus on the fire and try to help,” she said.
The firefighters were cheered by the light rain.
“It’s a blessing from God. I think God took pity on us,” said volunteer Estefanía Riveiro, who was carrying buckets of water to “help our animals”.
Scientists from the United States reported on January 13 that 2021 was the best year. Sixth-warmest YearOn record
