As per reports, the Argentine government has declared a Fire Emergency across four Patagonian provinces on Thursday (29 January) amid severe and ongoing wildfires that have burned at least 45,000 hectares of forest since the start of the southern summer.

The declaration follows mounting pressure from regional governors and escalating risks to populated areas. The four provinces covered under Argentina’s fire emergency declaration are Chubut, Río Negro, Neuquén and La Pampa.

• The most critical fires are concentrated in Chubut Province, where approximately 45,000 hectares have been affected.
• Los Alerces National Park has sustained significant damage, with an estimated 20,000 hectares burned.
• The emergency decree (DNU) is expected to be formally published on Friday (30 January) enabling faster coordination between national and provincial authorities.
• Around 450 firefighters, supported by 19 aircraft, are currently deployed across affected areas.
• Authorities confirmed the fires were initially triggered by a lightning strike on 09 December within park boundaries, before spreading uncontrollably in recent weeks.
• A second major fire between Puerto Patriada and Epuyén (Chubut) has affected approximately 22,300 hectares, and is reported to be 85 percent contained.
• The National Fire Management Service has issued a red alert for extreme fire risk through Friday, citing high temperatures and strong winds.