Argentina battles to contain Patagonia wildfires

A large fire, that has been ravaging Argentina's Patagonia region for several weeks, has intensified in recent days.

The Argentine government has reinforced the teams fighting the wildfires in several active locations.

Fires remain active within a radius of about 500 kilometers (311 miles) in the region, one of the most important areas being the tourist destination of Bariloche, around a local lake in the Nahuel Huapi National Park.

The fire is rampant around the Lago Martin and Steffen areas and although access to the parks is closed, it is severely affecting the population of that area, mostly locals who live near the mountains, in the border area with Chile.

The changing wind conditions have complicated the task of extinguishing the fire that has been expanding in recent hours, although its progress has slowed, authorities said.

The fire was affecting mainly virgin native forest and unique species of the place.

In the vicinity of Santa Elena area and the confluence of the Río Manso and Río Villegas, where the fire is advancing, four communes with a population of around 2,000 people could be forced to evacuate, according to officials.

The Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development affirmed that more than 220 brigade members, nine airplanes, eight helicopters, land resources and boats were working in the area.

In addition, a special crisis committee has been created that combines the ministries of the Environment, Defense, Security and the Interior to address the situation urgently.