One of the four main focal points of the Córdoba wildfires that have been raging for a week remain active, the provincial government announced on Thursday. Firefighters continue to actively work in the area of Salsacate while flames have been contained in the Punilla Valley, one of the most fierce spots. 

The latest report on the Salsacate, located in western Córdoba, states that the flames are located in specific pockets. The government has sent several airtankers and deployed the National Fire Management Service to aid the effort against the wildfires, with hundreds of firefighters and local volunteers combatting the flames across the province. 

The Córdoba government also advised the population to remain alert given that the risk of fires remains due to intense heat, with temperatures over 30 degrees Celsius expected for Sunday and Monday.

The most significant development was the containment of the Punilla Valley fires. Over 400 firefighters worked all throught Thursday night and early Friday to control the perimeter and insure that the wind would not restart the flames. Hydrant planes were set to fly over the area on Friday to complete the task. So far, more than 50 people have been evacuated and 20 homes destroyed. 

Satellite monitoring of Córdoba by Argentina’s national space agency (CONAE) showed that 43,500 hectares had been burned. No deaths have been reported, although there have been multiple arrests for arson.

Córdoba’s Security Minister Juan Pablo Quinteros stated in an interview with media outlet Radio Con Vos that fire season is a regular occurrence in Córdoba. In an interview with the Herald earlier this week, volunteer firefighter Santiago Tarduchy said that although Córdoba’s fire season is a known ocurrence, climate change and lack of adherence to forest protection laws have contributed to worsening wildfires.

“Historically, August was the windy month but we’re still seeing 30 km/h winds, there’s no rain, spring has only just begun but we’re already seeing temperatures of 30°C and there’s low humidity — the perfect conditions for a fire,” Tarduchy said.

The president’s visit

President Javier Milei touched down in Córdoba on Wednesday after a trip to New York City, embracing Governor Martín Llaryola before being flown over areas of the province hit by wildfires without getting out. 

No new measures to fight the blazes were announced following the brief visit, but the president shared several fake news stories and misinformation, including an AI-generated image of a laughing man setting fire to his surroundings in a T-shirt bearing the words “Hate Córdoba.” 

There were also multiple stories on Milei’s timeline claiming that 17 arsonists behind the wildfires were Kirchnerites — supporters of former presidents Néstor and Cristina Kirchner — and its political youth movement La Cámpora. A hashtag with the pejorative term for Kirchner supporters became a trending topic as a result on X, accusing them of “setting fire to Córdoba.”

“We can say that first of all, there aren’t 17 detainees nor are there any hints that allow us to affirm that they belong to any political group,” said a brief communiqué from Córdoba’s Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Córdoba’s Security Minister Juan Pablo Quinteros explained in a radio interview on Thursday that there was no evidence that the detainees were linked in any way — and clarified that there were only four people in jail for the current outbreak.

“We don’t know their motives for deliberately starting fires, some were freed because they were accidents or cases of gross negligence in areas that we all know set fire easily,” said Quinteros on Radio Con Vos on Thursday, emphasizing that detainees were not asked about their political affiliations when arrested.

“I don’t want to get into the political issue because we’re very focused on the absolutely immense task of fighting against the overwhelming power of fire,” he stated, adding that focusing on these incidents is a distraction from the most urgent task at hand, which is putting out the wildfire focal points. 

“When you politicize something like the wildfire it’s truly complicated because, I insist, it makes us lose time that should be invested in just working.”

You may also be interested in: Milei sparks outrage by comparing Kirchnerists to zombies