Forest Fires in Patagonia Force State of Emergency

BUENOS AIRES -- A state of emergency has been declared in Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province, where more than 500 hectares (1,234 acres) of forest have been scorched by several fires, forcing the evacuation of dozens of people, officials said Sunday.

At least 70 people have been evacuated in the past few hours, while firefighters and emergency services personnel try to control the fires burning in the extreme southern section of Patagonia.

Two of five fire outbreaks which were still blazing in Tierra del Fuego yesterday were controlled by firefighters in the afternoon, after a three-day battle in the surroundings of the town of Tolhuin. A man was hospitalized due to injures.

"Authorities and fire fighters are confident and calm, as weather conditions have turned in our favour this morning. The wind is blowing against the affected areas so it is not likely that the fires will spread any more," a spokesman said.