Argentina wildfires: Man arrested and dozens evacuated as flames engulf central province

A 27-year-old man has been detained in Argentina, after wildfires engulfed the country’s Cordoba province amid an intense heat wave.

Around 960 firefighters, including eight firefighting planes and two helicopters, were working to combat massive flames in the hills surrounding populated areas in the central province.

Dozens of people have been evacuated from their homes. It remains unclear how many houses has been affected by the wildfires.

Ulises Xarate, 27, has been detained and stands accused of starting a fire on Monday afternoon, in an area close to the city of Villa Carlos Paz in the Punilla region, local media cited prosecutor Jorgelina Gomez as saying.

Xarate reportedly told police he started a campfire in order to make coffee, but lost control of the flames due to strong winds.

Cordoba governor, Juan Schiaretti, said 99% of the fires the region suffers from every year “are caused intentionally, either by intentional action or by irresponsibility”.

Wildfires have spread rapidly in the province due to a combination of heat and strong winds.

It is hoped rain forecast for Tuesday night and early Wednesday will calm the blaze.

Most of South America, including Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia has been affected by temperatures above 40C in August and into September.

Scientific group World Weather Attribution said climate change was making heatwaves 100 times more likely, having raised average temperatures in the region by as much as 4.3C.

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There were five active fires in the Cordoba province as of Tuesday, Argentina’s National Fire Management Service said.

“I call on the population to respect the indications of the firefighters and authorities who are working in the affected areas,” Mr Schiaretti, wrote on social media.

“The most important thing is to save lives. Wherever evacuation is necessary, it will be done.”

Water, food, mattresses and blankets have been sent to the affected areas by the provincial government.

“We request that prevention measures be taken to the highest degree, as the weather conditions are adverse,” Cordoba’s government and security minister, Julian Lopez, wrote on social media.