Latest news Forest fires in Patagonia: Argentina declares a state of emergency
Argentina's President Javier Milei has declared a state of fire emergency due to devastating forest fires in the Patagonia region. According to media reports, more than 200,000 hectares have fallen victim to the flames since the beginning of the Argentine summer. The state of emergency applies to four provinces in the south of the South American country.
30.01.2026, 17:31
30.01.2026, 17:32
SDA
Parts of the provinces of Chubut, La Pampa, Neuquén and Río Negro are affected. In Los Alerces National Park in Chubut alone, with its ancient alerce trees and crystal-clear lakes, around 250 firefighters are currently fighting forest fires across an area of around 10,000 hectares, according to the national disaster management authority AFE. The park was added to the Unesco World Heritage List in 2017.
The fire emergency is intended to enable better coordination of forest firefighting and the provision of emergency aid. High temperatures and strong winds are making firefighting work more difficult. According to local authorities, Chubut is also experiencing the worst drought since 1965.
"The adverse weather conditions, characterized by drought and strong winds, have led to an emergency situation in the region, the aggravation of which is causing significant environmental damage, affecting property and endangering the lives of the people who live there," reads the decree published in the official gazette.
The forest fires started at the end of 2025 and the authorities believe that at least some of them were started deliberately.
