Since December 2024, the **fires in Patagonia** have devastated more than 48,000 hectares, with active outbreaks in the provinces of **Chubut, Río Negro, and Neuquén**.
The Government’s response, centralized in the Ministry of National Security, has been criticized for the delay in sending reinforcements and the absence of a **comprehensive preventive plan**.
Devastating Impact: Over 48,000 Hectares Affected
According to the latest official data, the **forest fires** in Patagonia have consumed more than 48,000 hectares of forests, grasslands, and homes since December 2024. One of the most prominent outbreaks is at the Los Alerces National Park in Chubut, which started on Wednesday night and has already affected 72 hectares.
In addition to the **environmental damage**, the fires have claimed a life: Ángel Reyes, a resident of El Bolsón, was trapped in his home. In Corrientes, another outbreak consumed over 127,000 hectares and resulted in the death of 30-year-old teacher Alejandra Mendoza.
Authorities in Chubut, Río Negro, and the National Government have confirmed that most outbreaks were intentionally caused, exacerbated by **drought, wind, and lack of rainfall**.
National Government’s Response to the Fires in Patagonia: Criticisms and Insufficient Resources
The **emergency management** has been questioned for the delay in sending material, human, and economic reinforcements. A report from Noticias Argentinas revealed that the **bidding process for the purchase of hoses**, signed on December 16, 2024, was only published on February 19, 2025.
Chief of Cabinet, **Guillermo Francos**, detailed that the Government allocated $7 billion to Chubut and $5 billion to Río Negro for housing reconstruction. Additionally, they deployed 9 planes, 10 helicopters, forest fire trucks, sleeping trucks, and over 100 firefighters.
Since December, the National Fire Management System (SNMF) has been under the Ministry of National Security, led by **Patricia Bullrich**. The National Fire Management Directorate was also transferred, and recently, the **Federal Emergency Agency** was created to coordinate the actions of the involved agencies.
Bullrich stressed the need for “more resources and fewer structures,” referring to the consolidation of 12 agencies involved in **fire, flood, and other disaster situations**. However, specific funds and resources for the Federal Emergency Agency have not been detailed yet.
During a visit to El Bolsón, Bullrich blamed the Mapuche Ancestral Resistance (RAM), declared a terrorist organization, for some of the fires in Patagonia. “We will apply the full force of the law,” she stated.
Lack of a Preventive Strategy and Better Conditions for Firefighters
Experts and local organizations warn that the most critical stage of summer has not yet begun, when drought and **water stress** increase fire spread. They demand an annual preventive plan, with **educational actions** and the cleaning of interface areas where homes and forests coexist.
They also demand better working conditions for firefighters, who denounce situations of precariousness and **lack of adequate equipment**. “Fires are mainly extinguished through manual work and climatic support,” stated the Argentine Association of Environmental Lawyers.
How to Collaborate and Send Donations
The emergency has generated a rapid **solidarity response** from the region’s residents. Authorities remind that donations must be made through each province’s **official channels** to ensure proper distribution.
Cover photo: Marcelo Martínez / Greenpeace
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