Political scientist Julia Strada, a member of the Argentine Center for Political Economy (CEPA), today accused the government of Javier Milei of "defunding the National Fire Management Service (SNMF)" with a cut that this year would reach 70% compared to 2023. Strada's criticism comes at a particular juncture, with several fire outbreaks currently recorded in Patagonia and recurring in recent years, especially during this period. In a post on social network X, the CEPA representative stated that Milei "defunded the National Fire Management Service: in 2024, he executed 81% less in real terms than in 2023". She also emphasized that the libertarian government "in 2025 dropped to 70.8% and in the 2026 budget (if executed), a real adjustment of 70.7% vs. 2023 would be consolidated". According to Argentine News agency, Strada also pointed out that "in his two years in government (Milei) under-executed the budget. In 2024, 60.6% of the initial budget was accrued and in 2025 only 48.2%". Meanwhile, the National Meteorological Service (SMN) warned that 16 provinces are in a "critical" situation due to the advance of forest fires and included Buenos Aires, Entre Ríos, Corrientes, La Pampa, Santa Fe, Córdoba, La Rioja, Tucumán, Santiago del Estero, San Luis, Mendoza, Neuquén, Chubut, Río Negro, Santa Cruz and Tierra del Fuego.
