Firefighters battle to extinguish a bushfire in Chubut province of Argentina's Patagonian region

Firefighters battle to extinguish a bushfire in Chubut province of Argentina's Patagonian region

 Gonzalo KEOGAN, Gonzalo KEOGAN

Forest fires in southern Argentina have scorched more than 15,000 hectares (37,000 acres) this week, authorities said, though rain began falling in parts of Patagonia on Sunday to the relief of residents.

The largest blaze, burning since Monday near the small town of Epuyen in the Andes, has charred some 11,980 hectares, the Chubut provincial fire service said in a statement.

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