The Los Alerces National Park is going through a key stage in its recovery process following the forest fires that affected various sectors of the Andean region.
The current tasks are being carried out under the coordination of a unified command consisting of the Federal Emergency Agency, the National Parks Administration, and the Government of Chubut.
In this new operational phase, work bases were reorganized to optimize surveillance and environmental restoration. As a result, the logistical scheme was centralized at the ICE base located in Villa Futalaufquen.
This change occurred after the withdrawal of units operating in Lago Verde and Río Grande. The goal is to consolidate a monitoring strategy that allows for the prevention of new fire outbreaks and advances in the ecosystem recovery.
Technological surveillance to prevent new fires
Although the park’s activities have begun to normalize, surveillance tasks remain active. The technical teams conduct daily aerial surveys with observation aircraft.
Additionally, drones are used to examine more precisely the areas affected by the fire. These tools allow for the rapid detection of possible hot spots or residual outbreaks.
This approach seeks to prevent the reactivation of fires in sensitive areas of the Patagonian Andean forest. The combination of technology and constant monitoring has become a key strategy to protect the park’s ecosystem.
Underwater cultural heritage in Lago Rivadavia
In parallel with the environmental control tasks, the park has also opened space for scientific projects related to regional heritage. One such project is being developed on the shore of Lago Rivadavia, where a subaquatic survey was conducted.
The expedition was driven by the Documentation and Evaluation of Underwater Cultural Heritage Sites project. The work is being carried out by researchers from the Institute of Austral Diversity and Evolution along with specialists from the National Parks Administration.
During the exploration, two sunken vessels were identified as part of the local history. One of them was used decades ago by the Burgos family to cross the lake, giving it a symbolic value for the region.
The research also received logistical support from tour operators and advice from the Patagonian National Center.
The environmental situation of the park after the fires
The forest fires that affected the region left significant impacts on the park’s ecosystems. The fire damaged areas of the Andean forest where native species and fundamental habitats for the local fauna predominate.
Among the most sensitive environments are the forests that house specimens of Patagonian larch, an emblematic species of Patagonia. The recovery of these ecosystems may take decades due to the extremely slow growth of these trees.
Additionally, the fires alter the soil structure, the availability of nutrients, and the balance of watercourses. For this reason, scientific monitoring and environmental restoration are essential to assess the evolution of the forest.
The protection of these areas is also crucial to conserve biodiversity and the natural landscapes that characterize the park.
Recommendations for visitors and residents
As the recovery process progresses, authorities have reinforced recommendations for those visiting the park. One of the main measures is to respect the speed limit of 40 kilometers per hour on the internal roads of the protected area.
Additionally, official vehicles participating in logistical and monitoring tasks have priority circulation.
Authorities also requested that residents and tourists stay informed through the park’s official channels. These guidelines aim to reduce risks and facilitate environmental conservation tasks.
Thus, the recovery of Los Alerces National Park progresses amid scientific monitoring, territorial control, and research projects that help reconstruct the history and biodiversity of one of the most valuable ecosystems in Patagonia.
