In a day of full heatand with Zonda winds from the north, with temperatures above 25 degrees and gusts of more than 40 kilometers per hour in some areas, the risk of fires was felt throughout the province. In fact, seven fire outbreaks have been recorded throughout the day.
At 2 p.m., three outbreaks had already been registered in the province of Córdoba, one in Anisacate (Paravachasca Valley), the other in Villa Allende and one in the Córdoba Ring Road. As the hours passed, four others joined, one in La Calera, another on Ruta 20, one more in Los Cóndores and the last in the town of Sampacho.
Thanks to the work of the Volunteer Fire Departments from the different affected areas, all the outbreaks in the province were controlled. Members of the Provincial Fire Management Plan and workers from the Technical Disaster Action Team (Etac) also collaborated in the procedures. The firefighters also had the help of a plane from the Provincial Aeronautics Directorate.
Regarding this series of fires, the spokesman for the Directorate of Integrated Fire Management, Roberto Schreiner, commented: “With the presence of the north wind in the province of Córdoba and the high temperatures, the conditions were perfect for forest fires.” “Fortunately, the volunteer firefighters came and acted quickly in all the affected areas and nothing serious happened,” Schreiner stressed.
Fire in Anisacate
“The fire originated near Route 5, on the way to Costa Azul, due to the winds, the high-voltage wiring generated sparks that caused the fire to start,” he told The voice Natalia Contini, mayor of Anisacate, a town located 40 kilometers south of the capital.
“The fire spread due to the force of the wind, which was changing direction, and is contained within the area of a former quarry where the municipality is storing pruning branches. It is completely contained. The Technical Team for Disaster Actions (Etac), the Civil Defense of the province, the Civil Defense of Anisacate, firefighters, the Urban Guard, the inspectorate and all municipal personnel involved are working on it,” he explained. “People should be calm,” added Contini from the place where the fire is located.
“The ravine (in the area) acts as a containment,” he added.
Fire in Villa Allende
The fire is developing in the Villa Allende garbage dump with intense columns of smoke that can be seen from different points of that city of Greater Córdoba, located in the Colón department.
There are several fire brigades working in the area.
Fire on the Cordoba ring road
The fire on the Ring Road is in grasslands, on the outer ring road, above the Air Force Bridge, at kilometer 30.
Recommendations to avoid the risk of fires
Below are recommendations to avoid the risk of fire:
- Do not use fire without obtaining a controlled burning permit, which is not granted during this time.
- Do not burn pruning remains, garbage, stubble and land weeding.
- Carry out preventive measures within your reach on each property, such as: firebreaks; cleaning fences; building water reservoirs; availability of combat elements (shovels, whips, machetes, etc.); and a swimming pool or Australian tank filled throughout the year, since this water reserve is essential in case of fires.
- Under no circumstances should you throw lit matches into the countryside, forests or wooded areas, remember that most fires originate and occur as a result of lack of caution.
- Don’t make campfires; They are only allowed to be carried out in places authorized for this purpose (campsites, complexes, camps).
- Never light a fire under trees, not only because of the risk of fire, but also because of the damage caused by heat to the plant, which is a living organism.
- Keep in mind that the wind can spread a small campfire, causing a fire.
- Never throw cigarette butts in the countryside.
- If a fire starts in the grass and as long as it has not reached too much intensity, extinguish it by hitting the flame with a blanket or bag, preferably wet.
Cordoba: fire warning telephone number
- 0800 888 38346 (Fire)
- 911 (Police)
- 100 (Firefighters)
Online mapping to monitor fires
The local government enabled an online cartography that details the danger of fires by region on a daily basis, which is publicly accessible and can be consulted at this link: https://mapascordoba.gob.ar/#/mapas
It is a series of maps that include technical and visual information on the entire provincial geography, with indicators that determine the occurrence, behavior and probable effects of a fire.
The mapping was prepared by the Hydrometeorological Observatory of Córdoba (OHMC) and with the advice of the Directorate of Integrated Fire Management of the province.
