About 1,000 firefighters are battling a massive forest fire in Argentina

Local media reported that dozens of people were evacuated as firefighters tried to put out the flames. Photo: AP

Large fires started in the area. The central province of Cordoba in Argentina destroyed dozens of homes overnight, forced hundreds of people to evacuate and killed farm animals during a heat wave.

In footage posted online, Villa Carlos Paz, a resort town of 56, 000 people — flames can be seen surrounding houses as black smoke rises into the sky. More than 600 families have been evacuated.

“A dozen houses have now been completely or partially destroyed by the fire,” a local fire service volunteer told The Telegraph. “Three hundred people were forcibly evacuated, 300 evacuated on their own.”

“Civilians are suffering from breathing problems, there are a large number of dead farm animals. The fire continues to burn,” added the volunteer.

A dire situation is unfolding right now in Villa Carlos Paz, Argentina, as a fast-moving wildfire approaches the city. Several buildings are on fire. Urgent evacuations are being carried out. pic.twitter.com/6741nRG2ZV

— Nahel Belgherze (@WxNB_) October 10, 2023

Nearly a thousand firefighters, many of them volunteers, were called in to fight the blaze.

Eight firefighting aircraft and two helicopters were also involved. Local media reported that residents were trying to moisten the ground with water from their swimming pools.

Córdoba Governor Juan Schiaretti asked people to evacuate.

“I urge the population to respect the instructions of firefighters and authorities who are working in the affected areas areas,» he said.

“The most important thing is to save lives, wherever evacuation is necessary, it will be carried out.”

Carla Bruno, interim mayor of Cabalango, the affected town, told local media: “This is a disaster. The embankment caught fire. This is a catastrophe. The city can no longer breathe. I hope more reinforcements will arrive, we are short of resources, we cannot tolerate this anymore.”

According to Argentina's National Fire Service, there were five active forest fires in the region on Tuesday.

< img src="/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1daf4925382493aac9d3d4879bcccf86.jpg" />Locals use buckets of water to extinguish the flames in Villa Carlos Paz. Photo: AP There are at least five active fires in the region, officials said. Photo: AP

Local media reported that a 27-year-old man accused of setting the fire Monday afternoon was in custody.

The man reportedly told police he lit the fire to make coffee. and lost control of the blaze due to high winds.

The fire department said conditions were «absolutely unfavorable» with unprecedented heat of 37 degrees, low humidity and strong winds of up to 22 mph. hour. The country is also experiencing a historic drought.

A fire service volunteer told The Telegraph: “Conditions were conducive to wildfires as the dry season was in full swing in central Argentina. .

“The forest fire entered urban areas, completely or partially burning buildings, making it a fire on the border between forest and city.”