Wall of fire: Horrifying footage shows flames around the Argentine town of Villa Carlos Paz as residents besieged by biting smog are evacuated
- Flames engulfed Argentina’s Cordoba region as forest fires raged everywhere
- People frantically evacuated the holiday resort with 56,000 residents
- Almost 1,000 firefighters are deployed to fight the rapidly spreading forest fires
Horrifying footage has shown a wall of fire surrounding an Argentine city as a wild inferno sparked massive evacuations.
Nearly 1,000 firefighters were deployed in Villa Carlos Paz in the central province of Cordoba as wildfires spiraled out of control.
Footage from the area showed massive flames in hills around populated areas as firefighters battled flames that had reached some homes in the area.
It was not immediately clear how many homes were affected, but dozens of people were evacuated.
27 year old Ulises
He reportedly told police that he wanted to light a bonfire to make coffee but lost control of the flames due to the strong winds in the area.
A video from the Argentine province shows a “wall of fire” quickly covering the city in black smoke (pictured: Villa Carlos Paz)
Evacuations are taking place in Argentina’s central Cordoba province as wildfires in the area burn out of control
Other footage of the wildfires shows residents frantically evacuating in cars or even on bicycles to escape the flames
People were evacuated from their homes and the provincial government said it had sent trucks with drinking water, food, mattresses and blankets for residents of affected areas
27 year old Ulises
Xarate reportedly told police that he wanted to light a bonfire to make coffee but lost control of the flames due to strong winds in the area.
The governor of Cordoba, Juan Schiaretti, said: “I appeal to the population to respect the advice of the firefighters and authorities working in the affected areas.” “The most important thing is to save lives. Wherever an evacuation is necessary, it will be carried out.”
The local government said it had sent trucks with drinking water, food, mattresses and blankets for residents of affected areas.
According to Argentina’s National Fire Management Service, there were five active forest fires in the region on Tuesday.
There were hopes that rains expected Tuesday evening and early Wednesday morning could help calm the fires, which had spread quickly due to strong winds.
Fierce wildfires are raging in the woods on the outskirts of Villa Carlos Paz, engulfing surrounding areas of the city in flames, and firefighters are under enormous pressure to control the rapidly spreading disaster.
“We demand that preventive measures be taken to the greatest extent since the weather conditions are adverse,” Cordoba’s Government and Security Minister Julián López wrote on social media.
According to Argentina’s National Fire Management Service, there were five active forest fires in the region on Tuesday
There were hopes that rains expected Tuesday evening and early Wednesday morning could help calm the fires, which had spread quickly due to strong winds
Argentina’s drought has made the problem worse, as there is enough dry land for wildfires to devour and break out straight away
New outbreaks of forest fires were sparked and others broke out again after winds strengthened from the Punilla Valley mountain ranges
Villa Carlos Paz is said to be a holiday resort and the population is estimated at around 56,000. The tourist destination recently experienced temperatures as high as 31 degrees Fahrenheit and is also experiencing a severe drought
New outbreaks of forest fires were sparked and others broke out again after winds strengthened from the Punilla Valley mountain ranges.
There are concerns about how to contain wildfires in hard-to-reach areas.
Argentina’s drought has made the problem worse, as there is enough dry land for wildfires to devour and break out straight away.
Villa Carlos Paz is said to be a holiday resort and the population is estimated at around 56,000.
The tourist destination recently recorded temperatures as high as 31 degrees Fahrenheit and is also experiencing a severe drought that began three years ago.