The forest fire in Los Alerces National Park has already destroyed 577 hectares
Firefighters battling an “out of control” blaze in Los Alerces National Park, struggling to keep it from reaching Esquel and Trevelin.
The fire in the area of the Centinela stream, at the height of Bahía Rosales of Lake Futalafquen in the Los Alerces National Park in Chubut, continued this Saturday “out of control”, spreading to an area of 577 hectares and rescuers fear that it will last for several days, confirmed the head of the Fire Department. Communications and Emergencies (ICE), Mario Cárdenas, and spokespersons for the National Parks Administration.
“The conditions are adverse because we continue to have a lot of wind and high temperatures, which makes it quite difficult for us to carry out our tasks,” he said.
Meanwhile, brigade members and personnel from the Provincial Fire Management Service struggled to control the flames and protect the inhabitants of nearby towns in the cities of Esquel and Trevelin.
The head of ICE added that “the unified command was formed because the fire is affecting the jurisdiction of National Parks and the province of Chubut” and, therefore, a committee was set up between the two agencies to “begin working with the available resources of each one, plus what is achieved in what comes in the coming days.”
In addition, he warned that “this is going to be a long time, there will be for many days” because “the fire is still active.”
