Residents of Epuyén affected by the fires and volunteer firefighters gathered this morning at the doors of the Epuyén Municipality to demand urgent solutions for the more than one hundred families that suffered partial or total losses from the forest fires that began on January 5 in Puerto Patriada. They were received by the Secretary of Government, who asked for a few days to settle in, having recently taken office. The protesters demand solutions for families who suffered losses to their homes and livelihoods without state aid. They also demand the reconstruction of homes, real solutions to hunger in Epuyén, a plan for pine removal and reforestation, water supply for all neighborhoods, and an investigation into the fate of national funds allocated for the 2025 emergency. The organization 'Reconstructing Epuyén' seeks to consolidate and grow to help rebuild the more than one hundred homes destroyed by the 2025 and 2026 fires. They emphasize that on January 8 of this year, a group of Epuyén residents, who began organizing after the 2025 fire, decided to occupy School No. 9 due to the extreme emergency. They accuse the provincial government of inaction and lack of transparency in the use of allocated funds. It is also noted that there is no fire prevention plan and official firefighting services are underfunded. Tourists and artisans in the region are also in a crisis due to the loss of the tourist season. In protest, they handed out leaflets and held a communal meal on Route 40. The organization also puts forward specific demands, including a housing reconstruction plan, continuation of subsidies, an investigation into the fire, water supply, and transparency in fund usage. They also oppose projects that harm the environment. The governor of Chubut, Ignacio Torres, announced the allocation of 3.5 billion pesos for the reconstruction of 74 homes, but residents demand a full investigation and concrete action.
