What was once an intentionally set fire turned into a wall of out-of-control flames in central Argentina, thanks to intense heat and strong winds. Footage of the blaze is absolutely terrifying as the sheer size of the wildfires is incomprehensible.
The news of a massive wildfire breaking out in central Argentina sent firefighters rushing to the scene. The blaze had already engulfed over 6,600 acres by the time they arrived, and many people were still trapped in nearby villages.
In order to rescue them, 20 families were evacuated from their homes and apartment buildings in the resort city of Villa Carlos Paz on Tuesday night, October 10. As they left their residences, they were met with cheers from the evacuees who had gathered outside, all wearing masks to protect themselves from the thick smoke that filled the air.
JUST IN: Massive wildfires approaching Villa Carlos Paz in Argentina..
The size of this is truly terrifying.. pic.twitter.com/uA16qjBTsg
— Chuck Callesto (@ChuckCallesto) October 10, 2023
When drone video showed that the fire was quickly closing in on buildings, people began running away from it in fear as it brought intense heat with it. One man told Reuters that he felt like he was witnessing a war zone up close: “It looks like a war. I’ve never seen anything like that… It was shocking.”
An unnamed woman echoed these sentiments when she spoke about her experience: “I have no words to describe this. It was horrible. Awful to feel the ashes, the heat.”
People fleeing from their homes in Villa Carlos Paz, Argentina ???????? #VillaCarlosPaz #fire #wildfires #Argentina #Incendiospic.twitter.com/NHwj8doLsc
— Disaster Tracker (@DisasterTrackHQ) October 11, 2023
In order to contain this disaster, local authorities called upon more than 1,000 fire crews who all worked tirelessly against extreme conditions. They found support from desperate residents who took it upon themselves to douse any embers traveling through stiff winds with buckets of water taken from pools or garden hoses from their homes.
Despite their efforts however, two homes were destroyed by this inferno according to an official statement made by Governor Cordoba on social media platforms.
Raging #wildfires spreads close to Villa Carlos Paz, Cordoba Province, Argentina. Authorities evacuated nearby families. #Wildfire pic.twitter.com/IMCCBkWtjr
— Eliteworld (@eliteworldwaves) October 12, 2023
Happily enough though he also announced an arrest made for allegedly starting this terrible event which reportedly began when a man built a small fire for making coffee; unfortunately high temperatures and strong winds caused it spread rapidly before anyone could put out its flames completely.
