Currents: 20 outbreaks were detected and there is concern about drought

Almost a year after the immense fire that hit the province of Corrientes where more than 1 million hectares were burned, the Emergency Operational Command (COE) of the province reported today that in the last hours there were 20 fire outbreaks in the province, some of which affect the Iberá National Park, it was officially reported. The igneous foci reach nine localities of the province, including a sector of the Esteros del Iberá, according to official information. The fires were detected in Lomas de Vallejos, General Paz, Paraje Galarcita and Goya, while there were five foci in Concepción; two in San Miguel; two in Mercedes (where the portal of the affected estuaries is located), two in Paso de los Libres and five in Esquina.As for Iberá, the Carambola portal of access to the park has been closed since January 30 and until further notice, due to fire that affects different sectors of that region of the wetland. This measure was taken by the Directorate of Parks and Reserves of the Province of Corrientes, in coordination with the environmental authorities. In that sense, it is expected that tomorrow the president of the National Parks Administration, Federico Granato, will tour the National Park, who will also give a conference at noon, official sources said. In February 2022, Corrientes faced a season of fires of great magnitude that caused the burning of more than 1 million hectares, according to the Natural Resources Group of INTA of that province. Bruno Lovinson, deputy director of Civil Defense, told TN that this year “the weather situation is more adverse” however, “the situation is more controlled.” In fact, he remarked that they now have “a better organization than last year.” Currently, the most serious situation is recorded on Route 14 that adds to the different sources of fires that “requires mobilization and attention to these fires,” he said. Therefore, he stressed that the volunteer fire system was strengthened, more equipment was provided, forest brigades were incorporated and the number of vehicles destined to fight the fire and protect forestry, livestock and natural resources increased. The drought that Argentina is going through is one of the main concerns of the different regions when the fire hits since it generates a rapid spread. In Corrientes the drought situation is extreme, a report by the Correntino Institute of Water and Environment (ICAA) warned that in January only 82 millimeters of rain fell. According to the recorded data, the day with the highest rainfall was January 12 with 57.7 millimeters, followed by day 13 with 14.5 millimeters. But the following days the rainfall did not reach 8 millimeters, even a total of 5 days of rainfall was recorded during the first month of 2023.

Original source in Spanish