Intense wildfires continue to ravage Argentina's Patagonia region, with over 30,000 hectares scorched as of January 2026. Firefighters and volunteers are battling blazes exacerbated by extreme weather conditions, while a UNESCO World Heritage Site housing millennial trees faces imminent danger.
Authorities report the fires have created an ecological crisis, threatening both residential areas and unique biodiversity. The affected World Heritage site contains some of Earth's oldest living tree species, with scientists warning of irreversible damage to this natural archive if flames reach protected zones.
Meteorologists attribute the rapid fire spread to unprecedented summer temperatures and dry winds sweeping across southern Argentina. Emergency response teams from multiple provinces have mobilized, but shifting wind patterns continue to challenge containment efforts.
Local communities have begun evacuations in high-risk areas, while regional governments coordinate international aid requests. Environmental experts emphasize this disaster highlights growing climate vulnerabilities in South America's southern ecosystems.
