The blazes impacting the Paraná River’s delta regions in Santa Fe and Entre Ríos provinces have been quelled, according to the Ministry of the Environment. Officials detailed the firefighters’ efforts, emphasizing that recent rainfall significantly aided the extinguishing process. A separate fire originating in the Buenos Aires delta islands under San Fernando’s jurisdiction was also subdued.
As stated, the national government collaborated with provincial authorities in combating hotspots near Rosario (Santa Fe) and Victoria (Entre Ríos), providing aerial support—a helicopter with a heliball, a water-dropping aircraft—and National Parks’ firefighting teams.
Meanwhile, provincial Attorney General Julio Rodríguez Signes asserted that Entre Ríos bears “no legal liability” for the fires. He attributed blame to Rosario residents for the “improper use” of the islands.
He further declared: “Holding Entre Ríos accountable for these incidents is illogical.”
High temperatures and drought exacerbated the situation. The origins of the fires, however, remain unclear. Environmental officials from Entre Ríos explained that “the causes were human-induced, and pinpointing the exact source is exceptionally challenging because by the time a heat signature is detected, a substantial fire is already underway.”
The Emergency Attention and Prevention Brigade (BAPE) worked alongside Santa Fe’s Civil Protection; Victoria’s Volunteer Firefighters; Entre Ríos’ Civil Defense and Fire Management Plan; and National Parks.
Two helicopters from the Entre Ríos Police and the National Fire Management System also provided assistance.
In Entre Ríos, nearly 20,000 hectares were ravaged by fires between January 1 and December 2, 2021.
Beyond the Paraná River delta fires, new blazes recently emerged near El Palmar National Park (Colón); in Calabacilla (Concordia); on Isla del Puerto (Concepción del Uruguay); and impacting 14 hectares in Federación.
The Buenos Aires islands’ fire saw a three-day collaborative effort by the national government, the province of Buenos Aires, and the municipality of San Fernando. The Ministry deployed an airplane and a helicopter from the Argentine Naval Prefecture.
