Even at the end of last year, throughout Argentina ideal conditions prevailed for the spread of fire - above-average warm weather with temperatures close to 40 degrees, lack of precipitation and a dramatic, long-lasting drought.
The current fires in Patagonia are among the worst that have ever hit this region, in the past month and a half, over 45.000 hectares of Argentine forests have been destroyed, which, for comparison, is larger than the area of Belgrade.
Photo: AP Photo/Victor R. CaivanoFire in Argentina
During January, the neighbor was also in danger Chile where over 50.000 people were evacuated from the affected regions in the south of the country, Biobio and Nuble. The fire claimed at least 21 lives and destroyed at least 800 buildings and several vehicles, writes Jelena Kozbašić for the portal Climate 101.
But while Chile is now well on its way to recovering from the fires, the threat in Argentina is not abating. The fires are mainly concentrated in the province of Chubut, where firefighters, in addition to the fires themselves, are also fighting high temperatures and strong winds.
It is particularly worrying that the fire also engulfed the Los Alerces National Park, as well as its surroundings. Located in the Andes, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
At the beginning of February, fire suppression is still partial. Some hotspots at Epuyen and other critical points have been reduced or locally under control.
However, larger areas in Los Alerces National Park and the surrounding forests are still burning, which is particularly alarming due to the ecological value of this site.
Criticism of the authorities
The seriousness of the situation sparked anger towards Argentina's president, Javier Millais. His aggressive austerity measures over the past two years have slashed funding for programs and agencies that not only fight wildfires, but also protect parks and prevent wildfires from starting and spreading in the first place.
During 2024, Miley cut the allocation for the National Fire Service by 80% compared to the previous year. In doing so, the Argentine president decimated the agency responsible for deploying brigades, maintaining canards, procuring additional equipment and monitoring threats.
Photo: AP Photo/Victor R. CaivanoFire services on the ground in Argentina
This year, the same service expects an additional 71% reduction in funding, according to an analysis of the 2026 budget.
Regardless of his skeptical views, Miley gave in to the pressure of the situation last week, finally declaring a state of emergency, which freed up around a symbolic 60 euros for volunteer firefighters.
Over 230 fires
Although the president of Argentina denies climate change, the scientific evidence is clear, climate change not only increases the likelihood of fires, but also makes them more difficult to control and extinguish.
Photo: AP Photo/Victor R. CaivanoFire in Argentina
In northwestern Patagoda alone, between 1999 and 2022, researchers recorded 234 fires that affected an area of more than 10 hectares. During hot and dry years, both the total area affected by fires and the number of fires were greater. And precisely such years are more and more frequent on a warmer planet.
Whatever the cause of fire, with higher temperatures, less moisture and drier vegetation, landscapes are becoming much more flammable than before. Not only in Argentina, but all over the world – from Australia to Europe.
Patagonia's 2025/26 fire season, which began back in December last year, is likely to be one of the worst in decades.
Source: Klima101
