Argentina leader greets brigade combating wildfires

Argentine president Alberto Fernandez on Friday visited an area affected by wildfires that have ravaged over 800,000 hectares over a month. After a helicopter flight over the burnt fields, Fernandez met with a group of firefighters in charge of combating the flames in the northern Argentine region.

Fires have reached wetlands, forests, and farmland during the fire season, which has been aggravated by a prolonged drought and high summer temperatures. On Thursday, rain damped the area, providing some relief to the fire brigades. Authorities estimate millionary losses and that the region could recover only after years. Firefighting units have arrived from all corners of Argentina and also from Brazil and Bolivia.