Devastating Wildfire Sweeps Across Los Alerces National Park in Argentina

A massive forest fire is currently being fought by over 100 firefighters in Chubut province, southern Argentina. The fire began on Thursday in Los Alerces national park, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its giant alerce trees. It is believed to have been started by arsonists and has already destroyed over 1,000 hectares of land. Limited visibility caused by the smoke has made it difficult for aerial firefighters to tackle the blaze. The fire has spread beyond the park into nearby areas, and despite efforts to control it, it remains "out of control" according to the fire chief. The region has also been experiencing an unprecedented heatwave with temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius. Los Alerces national park covers a vast area of almost 260,000 hectares and serves as an essential protector of the Patagonian Forest. The park director stated that the fire began at two separate but nearby locations and was clearly the result of intentional human action. The governor of Chubut province emphasized that those responsible will be held accountable in court.