Fires in Argentina are primarily being fought by municipal, provincial, and volunteer firefighters, as state resources and firefighters are scarce, according to Mirta Ñancunao, spokesperson for the Mapuche Tehuelche Parliament of Río Negro. Due to the lack of tools, residents are taking turns to protect their homes, maintaining water reservoirs, cleaning surroundings, and equipping themselves with hoses and water pumps. The solidarity response of neighbors has been essential in the fight against the fire, while the state has declared a "Fire Emergency State" in the province of Río Negro.
According to information provided by Mavar, a sheep producer in the region, the fires could have various causes, and the consequences of climate change are becoming increasingly evident. Despite the magnitude of the fire in El Bolsón, the National Government has shown little intervention, leading local residents and communities to mobilize to confront the emergency.
The National Budget allocated to the National Fire Management Service has been insufficient to address the fires, which has generated criticism from residents and low execution of the funds allocated for this purpose. The lack of resources and absence of preventive measures have sparked criticism towards the Minister in charge of the Service, Patricia Bullrich, who has not publicly addressed the situation.
Amid the environmental crisis, local residents, producers, and indigenous communities have had to face alone the devastation caused by fires in Chubut, Río Negro, and Neuquén. Despite the solidarity and efforts of volunteers, the impact of the fires in the region has been devastating, with thousands of hectares scorched, homes destroyed, and lives lost. The lack of prevention, resource scarcity, and inaction from the National Government have exacerbated the situation, highlighting the urgent need for greater state involvement in wildfire management.
