Droughts lead to Argentine Patagonia wildfires
It's estimated this wildfire in Argentina has destroyed over 10,000 acres of forest.
While many eyes have been on the United States as it battles abnormally extreme weather events, including wildfires in Colorado that caused an estimated $1 billion in damage and ripped through 6,000 acres of land, our neighbors in the southern hemisphere are battling flames of their own.
According to the Associated Press, fires began in Argentina’s Patagonia region in early December 2021, most likely due to a lightning strike. December is summertime in Argentina, and unfortunately that often comes with drought conditions that make wildfires common in the area.
In addition to dry conditions, Argentine firefighters have also been battling winds sometimes in excess of 45 mph, AP reports, which has helped spread the flames, and authorities estimate almost 10,000 acres of native forest have been lost to the blaze.
No casualties have been reported at this time.
The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) attributes the increasing number of worldwide wildfires to climate change, which the fires themselves exacerbate. Not only do wildfires impact climate change by destroying valuable trees and forests, but they also create carbon emissions and other pollutants that are detrimental to the environment.
According to CAMS, global wildfires in 2021 caused an estimated 1760 megatons of carbon emissions, which is 148% more than the fossil fuel emissions of the entire European Union in 2020. Smoke emissions can also be harmful to humans and wildlife if inhaled, and high winds can carry these emissions hundreds of miles and threaten the air quality of surrounding areas.