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Wildfires devastate Argentina's Patagonia, threaten ancient forests
A firefighter battles a forest fire raging through the mountainous terrain of Epuyen, a remote area in Chubut province in Argentina's Patagonia region. [Tomas Cuesta/AFP]
Wildfires devastate Argentina's Patagonia, threaten ancient forests
The largest fires are ravaging southern Chubut province, where at least 450sq km (175sq miles) of forest have been consumed by flames since mid-January. [Gonzalo Keogan/AFP]
Wildfires devastate Argentina's Patagonia, threaten ancient forests
Hundreds of firefighters are battling to contain the blazes before they reach populated areas. [Tomas Cuesta/AFP]
Wildfires devastate Argentina's Patagonia, threaten ancient forests
The wildfires are among the most severe to strike the drought-stricken Patagonia region in decades, compelling thousands of residents and tourists to evacuate. [Gonzalo Keogan/AFP]
Wildfires devastate Argentina's Patagonia, threaten ancient forests
The crisis, unfolding with the bulk of Argentina's fire season yet to come, has rekindled public outrage towards libertarian President Javier Milei. His severe austerity measures over the past two years have drastically reduced funding for programmes and agencies that combat fires, protect parks, and prevent blazes from igniting and spreading. [Tomas Cuesta/AFP]
Wildfires devastate Argentina's Patagonia, threaten ancient forests
"There has been a political decision to dismantle firefighting institutions," says Luis Schinelli, one of just 16 park rangers responsible for protecting the 2,590sq km (1,000sq miles) of Los Alerces National Park. "Teams are stretched beyond their limits." [Tomas Cuesta/AFP]
Wildfires devastate Argentina's Patagonia, threaten ancient forests
When lightning ignited a small fire near a lake in the remote northern reaches of Los Alerces in early December, firefighters faced significant challenges in their response. The isolated location severely hampered access while a shortage of aircraft prevented them from transporting crews and effectively extinguishing the hillside flames. [Tomas Cuesta/AFP]
Wildfires devastate Argentina's Patagonia, threaten ancient forests
A 2023 National Park Administration report recommended deploying at least 700 firefighters to adequately protect lands under its jurisdiction. Currently, the agency employs 391 firefighters, having lost 10 percent of its workforce through layoffs and resignations during Milei's two years in office. [Gonzalo Keogan/AFP]
Wildfires devastate Argentina's Patagonia, threaten ancient forests
Budget cuts to the National Fire Management Service have reduced both training capacity and available equipment, according to firefighters, forcing many to depend on secondhand protective suits and donated gear. [Gonzalo Keogan/AFP]
Wildfires devastate Argentina's Patagonia, threaten ancient forests
Officials at Los Alerces emphasised that funding constraints have been a persistent challenge regardless of which administration is in power though they firmly maintained that sufficient resources were available to combat the fire. [Tomas Cuesta/AFP]
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