A forest fire that began on December 25, 2024, in Nahuel Huapi National Park, in the mountainous region of Río Negro, has continued to spread despite the efforts made by local and national firefighters for more than a month. The fire's magnitude has reached approximately 5,200 hectares, and despite the presence of brigades from provinces like Chubut, Misiones, and Neuquén, the amount of water needed to contain it has proven to be much greater than anticipated.
Ariel Amthauer, a local firefighter, described the complexity of the situation: "The fire is located in an area of difficult access, with dense vegetation and rugged terrain, which significantly hinders firefighting efforts. Adverse weather conditions have worsened the situation, allowing the flames to spread rapidly and making control difficult." To date, the fire has approached areas near the Cascada Los Alerces, raising concerns about the safety of nearby communities.
Amthauer emphasized that the high fuel load, mainly from large trees such as coihues and lengas, has significantly complicated firefighting tasks, making the work even more arduous. Such fires are common in the Patagonian mountainous region, where dense vegetation and steep topography hinder control efforts. Due to the ongoing lack of rainfall, strong winds, and extreme temperatures, complete extinguishment of the fire may require a long period of time.
Despite the joint efforts of firefighters and aerial means provided by the National Fire Management Service, which has deployed planes and helicopters to drop water and retardants on the most affected areas, the fire continues to challenge firefighting teams. So far, no fatalities or significant damage to nearby populations have been reported, but uncertainty persists due to the speed at which the flames spread. Fire brigades from Río Negro, Neuquén, and Chubut continue to add personnel and resources to the efforts, hoping to soon conduct a more detailed assessment of the damage caused by this devastating fire in Nahuel Huapi National Park.
