# Argentina La Rioja wildfire response

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/argentina-la-rioja-wildfire-response
> Updated: 2026-07-31T19:21:22.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 2.

In late July 2026, three water‑dropping aircraft from San Luis were dispatched to the Guanchín hills near Chilecito, Argentina, to support ground crews battling a large forest fire. Their deployment depended on improving wind and weather conditions.

A few days later, authorities reported that about 70 % of the fire fronts had been contained, but strong zonda winds prompted an orange alert for reduced visibility and rapid temperature rises. The same AT‑802 water‑bombing aircraft remained part of the effort, though they were temporarily grounded because of poor visibility. Volunteer firefighters, police, and civil defence continued operations, and the Chilecito police opened an investigation into the fire’s cause.

## Timeline

### 2026-07-31: La Rioja Province wildfire prompts orange wind zonda alert

La Rioja’s emergency agency issued yellow alerts for rain, wind and smoke, plus an orange wind zonda alert, as firefighters contained 70 % of forest fires, with an active blaze in Chilecito under police inquiry

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/la-rioja-province-wildfire-prompts-orange-wind-zonda-alert

### 2026-07-28: Water bomber planes assist fight against Guanchín wildfire in Argentina

Three water‑bomber planes from San Luis were deployed to aid firefighters combating the Guanchín wildfire in Argentina, pending suitable weather conditions.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/water-bomber-planes-assist-fight-against-guanchn-wildfire-in-argentina

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Cite as: Argentina La Rioja wildfire response. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/argentina-la-rioja-wildfire-response