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.

"More than 500 hectares of forest have been destroyed by the eight fires affecting Tierra del Fuego," provincial spokesman Sergio Alvarez said.

The strong winds in the area revived the fire this weekend, but no one has been injured, Alvarez said.

The weather service said the fire zone could be affected by wind gusts on Sunday of 50 kph (31 mph) to 70 kph (43 mph).

Argentine Environment Secretary Homero Bibiloni plans to travel on Sunday to Tierra del Fuego, located some 3,200 kilometers (1,988 miles) south of Buenos Aires, to get a first-hand look at the situation.

The trip will be one of Bibiloni's first official acts after succeeding Romina Picolotti in the post last week.