Córdoba Province confronts rising forest‑fire danger and illegal logging operations

The Ministry of Security of Córdoba announced an elevated risk of forest fires for the coming days, citing dry weather, low humidity and abundant winter vegetation. Minister Juan Pablo Quinteros warned that most fires are human‑induced, stating, “La mayoría de los incendios forestales son evitables y comienzan por acciones humanas.” The provincial authorities activated the Plan Provincial de Manejo del Fuego, mobilising volunteer firefighters, the ETAC emergency team, Civil Protection, the provincial police and the Aeronautical Directorate to strengthen response capabilities.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Environmental Police intensified forest monitoring across the Río Seco, San Alberto and Ischilín departments. Operations uncovered illegal timber removal from native forests, with agents seizing chainsaws and other equipment. Drones were deployed to survey inaccessible areas and confirm the extent of the illegal clearings. All unauthorized activities were halted and the machinery was confiscated.

In La Calera, a separate incident saw a forest fire break out in the Quebrada de los Sauces. Emergency crews from various agencies, including the ETAC, worked to contain the blaze under the same high‑risk conditions affecting the province. The combined actions illustrate Córdoba’s coordinated effort to prevent and combat forest‑fire threats while targeting unlawful forest exploitation.