As Argentina battles raging wildfires in Chubut that have burned over 3,500 hectares and prompted over 3,000 evacuations, Chile has offered assistance, including hydrant planes. This follows federal deployments and vows to pursue arsonists, amid confirmed intentional fires and extreme weather.
Building on initial federal responses deploying hundreds of firefighters and aerial support, the Chubut wildfires—sparked January 5 near Puerto Patriada and Lake Epuyén—continue to devastate Patagonia. The blazes have destroyed at least 10 homes in Epuyén, with National Route 40 facing repeated closures between Epuyén and El Hoyo due to fire spread.
Governor Ignacio Torres called it the province's worst environmental emergency, fueled by the worst drought since 1965 and winds up to 70 km/h. While a lightning strike ignited fires in Los Alerces National Park, tests in El Hoyo and Puerto Patriada confirmed accelerants like fuel, pointing to deliberate arson at strategic points to maximize damage, per Security and Justice Minister Héctor Iturrioz.
Over 300 brigadists, volunteers, and aircraft—including a Boeing 737 Fireliner—are on the front lines, with volunteers reporting exhausting 15-16 hour shifts. Chile's offer of regional cooperation, voiced by Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren, was welcomed by Argentine counterpart Pablo Quirno.
Torres announced a 50 million peso reward for tips and proposed ecocide penalties. Environmental groups blame national budget cuts, noting affected hectares quadrupled to 31,722 in 2025.
