They evaluate evacuating 900 people in Río Negro due to a fire

With the beginning of summer, high temperatures and the lack of water that much of the national territory is suffering, fires are the order of the day and the season began with intense activity for firefighters.

On Wednesday night they happened 84 fires simultaneously and, as explained Pablo Benitez, spokesman for the National Fire Department to Telemundo, “weather conditions are so that a fire can be easily started and spread quickly, making the response complex“.

Some of these outbreaks still could not be controlled and one of them, in Río Negro, has already burned about 5,000 hectares. “The situation is extremely serious,” said the department’s mayor, Omar Lafluf, according to El País.

That fire originated on Route 25 near Algorta after a vehicle, which was transporting parcels and paint, caught fire. Young Fire Chief Francisco Rodríguez stated that the mass evacuation of the town where about 900 people live is being evaluated, according to local radio station Vision FM.

Benítez identified the fire hazard index as “too high”, with great probabilities of several fires happening simultaneously again. “Any human action that manages high temperatures in vegetated areas can generate fire,” he added.

Another fire that remains uncontrolled is in Fortín de Santa Rosa where several teams of firefighters work at this time.

98% of forest and field fires are the product of “human action”, reports the official government website and confirmed Pablo Benítez on Telemundo. Careless lighting a fire and difficulty in controlling it once started is often the most common way a fire starts.

The National Emergency System (SInae) and the National Fire Department identify as main causes from the start of a fire not keeping the premises clean, neglecting a stove, throwing a cigarette butt without putting out and not taking the necessary precautions when handling fireworks.

The Sinae and Fire Department made a series of recommendations to prevent and if they do occur, keep in mind the importance of notifying immediately.

How can we contribute to prevent fires?

Do not light fires in unauthorized places, until the end of April of each year.
Do not use fireworks in areas where there is vegetal combustible material, such as fields and beaches.
Do not throw lit cigarette butts or any other lit item from vehicles.

How do you make a safe fire pit?

If the fire starts at ground level, always keep it clean of all combustible material for at least 5 meters in all directions.
Surround the campfire with stones within a radius of 1 meter.
When retiring, extinguish with water or earth and make sure that the fire is extinguished.

How can we help if we see a forest or field fire start?

Give immediate notice to the authorities through 9-1-1.
Alert neighbors and work together with them.
To prevent the advance of flames, clean the area of fuel elements until the response of firefighters.