Wildfires in Argentina’s Patagonia have ravaged over 450 sq km of forests, prompting the evacuation of thousands and threatening ancient alerce trees. President Javier Milei’s austerity measures, which cut the National Fire Management Service’s budget by 71%, have intensified criticism as the crisis worsens. Despite declaring a state of emergency and allocating $69 million for firefighting, the damage has already exceeded last summer’s total. Environmentalists warn that climate change exacerbates the situation, with Milei facing pressure for his dismissive stance on the issue.
