They control the forest fire in Chilecito but the forecast of strong Zonda wind is worrying
Ricardo Alcalde, local firefighter, provided details about the intervention and the preventive measures taken to avoid further damage.
The Mayor reported that around noon they received a call alerting about a fire in the Sierra del Famatina, while another large forest fire threatened several homes in the La Puntilla district. “We had two simultaneous fires, but thank God we were able to respond to both immediately,” he said.
The fire in the Sierra del Famatina originated in the La Placeta ravine and spread quickly due to the abundant vegetation and strong Zonda winds. “That sector had not burned for several years, so there was grass more than 1.50 meters high,” explained Alcalde. The intervention of firefighters prevented the fire from reaching a tourist complex in the area, although the changing wind complicated the work. “The wind on the mountain can change direction quickly, which makes the fire spread more strongly,” he added.
In La Puntilla, the fire occurred near a farm a few meters from the urban area. Thanks to the quick and efficient work of the firefighters, the fire was controlled and further damage was prevented.
Although the situation was controlled, the weather forecast is not encouraging. “The forecast calls for strong winds and temperatures of more than 30 degrees until Thursday, which complicates our work,” said Alcalde. The concern now focuses on the Ciruelo ravine, in the town of Guanchín, where there is a high concentration of animals and grazing.
Regarding the extent of the damage, the Mayor indicated that the number of hectares affected cannot yet be determined precisely, since the mountainous terrain makes measurement difficult. “There are many hectares and the damage to our fauna and flora is considerable,” he concluded.
With information from Radio La Red
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