Forest fires in Neuquén, Río Negro, and Chubut are severely affecting two National Parks and have already devastated more than 37,000 hectares of forests and homes, an area equivalent to twice the size of the city of Buenos Aires.
Greenpeace demands greater prevention, firefighters, and infrastructure for a rapid response, as well as sanctions for both fires and deforestation.
Extent of the damage caused by forest fires in Patagonia
According to official reports, forest fires during this summer in Argentina have consumed 37,601 hectares of Andean-Patagonian forests: 450 hectares in Caviahue (Neuquén), 15,200 hectares in Lanín National Park (Neuquén), 10,233 hectares in Nahuel Huapi National Park (Río Negro), 3,637 hectares in El Bolsón (Río Negro), 55 hectares in El Pedregoso (Chubut), 3,530 hectares in Epuyén (Chubut), and 4,496 hectares in Atilio Viglione (Chubut).
“The Andean-Patagonian forests of Argentina are suffering the worst forest fires in the last three decades. It is an ecocide. The area devastated by the fires is enormous, severely affecting two National Parks and will take about 200 years to recover. The climate crisis demands preparation for an increase in fires, and the political leadership must stop denying or underestimating this situation. Much more prevention, firefighters, and infrastructure are needed, both at the national and provincial levels, to provide a rapid response to the multiple outbreaks that later become uncontrollable. Wind, drought, and exotic pines increase the risks,” said Hernán Giardini, coordinator of Greenpeace’s Forests campaign.
Urgency in action and prevention
A Greenpeace report estimated that the area affected by forest fires in the Andean-Patagonian Forests region of Argentina during the period October 2023 – March 2024 was 7,747 hectares, 90% in the province of Chubut.
It is estimated that 95% of forest fires are caused by human action, whether intentional, negligent, or due to accidents with bonfires, barbecues, poorly extinguished cigarette butts, preparing grazing areas with fire, and burning forest waste.
“Argentina is in a forest emergency. While fires in the south are increasing, most deforestation in the north is illegal. We must end impunity. It is urgent to prohibit and penalize the destruction of native forests,” Giardini stated.
The environmental organization calls on citizens to demand on the votaporlosbosques.org website the establishment of prison sentences for those responsible for forest fires and illegal deforestation. More than 265,000 people have already participated.
Cover photo of Fires in El Bolson by Marcelo Martínez
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