Massive Wildfire in Argentina’s National Park

Los Ataque National Park in Patagonia, Argentina (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), has experienced its most severe wildfire in decades, with over 45,000 hectares burned as of the day of reporting. This disaster stems from the combined effects of the Milei administration’s drastic cuts to firefighting and park management budgets (the National Fire Service’s budget was reduced by 69% compared to 2023) and persistent climate drought, resulting in severely inadequate fire prevention and control capabilities. The blaze has inflicted devastating damage on the park’s rare forest ecosystem, home to Chilean cypress trees over 3,600 years old. Habitat destruction for endemic species and a sharp decline in biodiversity have sparked global concern over the protection of this World Heritage site.