– From the South, with the Truth in the Chest – February 4, 2026 Patagonia burns. More than 60,000 hectares burned in Chubut this year, in Epuyén, Cholila, El Hoyo.
Ancient forests turned into ash, smoke that blocks the sun, evacuations that leave families without a roof or horizon. It’s not just «extreme weather» or coincidence. Voices from the area say it bluntly: lights that start at night in areas with no access, with accelerants; fires that revive right where they were extinguished; found material that points to intentionality. Who benefits when the native forest disappears and then pressures appear due to subdivisions, exotic pines or changes in land use? Why always in the same valleys when the drought hits the hardest?
The people who live there tell it like this:
«I warned the authorities about the risk, but no one listened. 51 days of fire, thousands of hectares burned… and silence.”
«We put out a light in Los Alerces, but they prohibited us from entering because it is a national park. Hours later he revived and arrived in Cholila. It’s every man for himself.»
«I saw three people lighting a fire at night in Cañadón Las Arenas. Area without access, with accelerants. «The fire is active, without enough light or water.»
«These fires were intentional, we already found the material. «They want Patagonia, they have power and they come for the water.»
Look and feel: The fire advances, the flames surround towns, the smoke suffocates. Are we still looking the other way?
If you love Patagonia and travel there for its peace, its pure air, its rivers that fill your soul… what happens when a poorly extinguished bonfire or carelessness adds to the disaster? Are we willing for the land that gives us life to become a commodity for a few? What part of this reality do we accept without question? What if the native forest that we admire so much disappears forever because we do not act in time? Awakening is not just seeing the problem. It is deciding that each one, from their place, can change something. You don’t have to be a hero: a minimal contribution adds up when thousands do it. Prioritize transparent and verified channels so that help really arrives – there are risks of false volunteers, so check carefully.
Help the firefighters and volunteer brigade members (on the front line, without pay, with what they wear):
- Firefighters Foundation of Argentina – “Bridges of Prevention” campaign (active for Chubut/Patagonia, equipment such as helmets, suits, water backpacks): alias: firefightersfund or donate online on their platform. Companies: [emailprotected]. Transparency guaranteed, funds go directly to associations in emergency. Instagram: @Bomberosfund.
- Local in area: El Hoyo Volunteer Firefighters (alias firefighterselhoyo / CUIT: 30-67034426-2). Cholila Volunteer Firefighters Association (alias: CHINO.METAL.BORDE for fuel and mobile phones / Owner: BBVV Association of Cholila CUIT: 30-71159443-0. Instagram: @bomberoseh.
If you travel south: Bring water, non-perishable food, gloves or tools – contact barracks beforehand to coordinate. Protect and restore native forests (so that they are not «harvested» or sold abroad):
- Friends of Patagonia: Donate native trees from $5000 each (community plantings in degraded areas).
- Forest Bank: donate to save m² of native forest at risk.
- I demanded compliance with the Native Forest Law: sign petitions, write to officials. If you travel: do not light fires outside permitted areas, report suspicious outbreaks al 0800-222-3469 (National Fire Management Plan), clean up your trash, educate other tourists. Participate in local plantations if there are calls.
From your place: make this viral, talk to friends, question as a group. A report saves hectares. A $1000 donation buys gloves.
A voice awakens ten more, Patagonia is calling us. Let’s not let the fire be the end. Let’s make it the beginning of something real: collective protection, land that is cared for, truth that walks. I shared this note. Take action today. Because if we don’t do it, who? Contact us if you want to add: @gabrielbustamant_ or respond here.
The truth does not wait for permission.
