A massive fire of significant proportions swept through a yerba mate deposit in Corrientes, Argentina, on Saturday, consuming approximately three million kilos of the product. The deposit, owned by a local cooperative, was reduced to ashes in a blaze that took more than a day to bring under control.
The fire started in a shed located on Route 71 and quickly spread, requiring the mobilization of over 200 people, including firefighters, brigades, and workers from the cooperative, to combat the flames. The efforts to extinguish the fire continued until Sunday, highlighting the scale and intensity of the inferno.
Investigation into the Causes
While the exact causes of the fire are still under investigation, speculation suggests that the high temperatures in the area, combined with the highly flammable nature of yerba mate, may have contributed to the disaster. These factors, when combined, could have created a perfect storm that led to the rapid spread of the fire.
Economic Impact
The affected cooperative is a major producer of yerba mate in the region and plays a significant role in the local economy. The loss of such a large quantity of product is not only a financial blow to the cooperative but also to the community that relies on it. The impact of this fire will likely be felt for some time, as the cooperative works to recover from this significant setback.