Fire Consumes Forests in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Fire Consumes Forests in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
24 January 2012
published by www.plenglish.com
Argentina — Buenos Aires — Over 4,942 acres of forests were consumed by a fire that has been affecting the Argentine side of Big Island Tierra del Fuego, in the southernmost tip of South America, since last week.
According to local press, the fire was rapidly consuming areas near Torito Bay, in the lakeside sector of Fagnano Lake, which divides into two this island shared by Argentina and Chile.
A contingent of over one hundred firefighting brigades is trying to put out the fire, which is fueled by strong gusts of wind and a lack of rain.
The Argentine government designed a contingent plan in the wake of soaring heat and drought linked to the current southern summer, which have unleashed countless fires in the Patagonia.
Since late November last year, fires have devastated vast forest areas in South America (Argentina, Chile and Paraguay), endangering the subcontinent´s rich and varied biodiversity.
