Argentina and Chile bolster forest fire prevention and management

Regional authorities in Argentina and Chile are intensifying efforts to address forest fire risks. In Argentina, the province of Neuquén will host the International Congress ‘Patagonia, beyond fire’ in Junín de los Andes from October 27 to 29. Organized by the Provincial Secretariat of Emergencies and Risk Management, the event will bring together specialists from Argentina, Chile, Canada, and Spain to discuss prevention, territorial planning, and technological innovation in managing complex fire scenarios.

In Chile, the municipality of San Fernando is reinforcing its prevention measures for the 2026-2027 wildfire season. Mayor Pablo Silva Pérez led a coordination meeting with emergency services, including Carabineros and firefighters, to review local strategies. Following a season with 17 fires—a 43% decrease from the previous period—the municipality will focus preventive deployment on high-risk areas such as Quilapán and Sierras de Bellavista, prioritizing community education, firebreak maintenance, and vegetation clearing near electrical installations.