Milei government declares emergency over Patagonia wildfires

President Javier Milei’s government on Thursday declared an emergency in four provinces in Patagonia, where wildfires have ripped through vast tracts of forest since the start of the Southern Hemisphere summer.

In recent days, local governors have appealed for more help from the government, criticising inaction and demanding increased aid.

The biggest blazes are in southern Chubut Province, where at least 45,000 hectares of forest have gone up in smoke since mid-January during the hot southern hemisphere summer.

Hundreds of firefighters are trying to prevent the flames reaching populated areas.

Cabinet Chief Manuel Adorni said a state of emergency would take effect in Chubut, Río Negro, Neuquén and La Pampa provinces of Patagonia on Friday.

“The Decree of Necessity and Urgency declaring a Fire Emergency in the provinces … is being signed,” he wrote on social media.

The Executive Branch justified the use of the decree by considering that the ordinary legislative process would delay the adoption of urgent measures.

Los Alerces National Park, a vast reserve of pristine forest and glacial lakes, has been among the worst-affected areas with some 20,000 hectares burnt.

In the past few days, colder weather and drizzle have provided some respite for firefighters, the deputy director of the federal emergencies agency, Ignacio Cabello, told the local El Chubut FM radio station.

There are about 450 firefighters in the area, supported by 19 aircraft, he said. 

"Today, the weather conditions helped," Manuel, a volunteer firefighter in the Chubut town of Cholila, which is threatened by flames, confirmed.

"We are ensuring that the fire doesn't continue to expand," said the man, who did not wish to give his surname.

"I've been a firefighter for 15 years and this is the first time I've seen a fire burn like this. We can't cope," he added.

The National Fire Management Service (SNMF) has declared a red alert for fire danger in the region until Friday, with high temperatures and strong winds expected.

Another major fire near the small Andean town of Epuyén was said by provincial authorities to be "85 percent contained." Around 22,300 hectares between the Patagonian town and nearby Puerto Patriada have been destroyed.

The fires have been fanned by high temperatures and strong winds at the height of summer.

On Tuesday, the Milei administration allocated an extra 120 billion pesos (around US$83 million) to various volunteer firefighting groups.

– TIMES/AFP/PERFIL