(Chubut – 16 January) Once again, forest fires are ravaging Argentine Patagonia: it is estimated that more than 50,000 hectares of forest and grassland have been destroyed by fire so far this southern hemisphere summer. One of the most voracious fires broke out on 5 January in Chubut: it is estimated that, in this province alone, the flames have already consumed 21,000 hectares. The Chubut fire is the first major fire of 2026 in Patagonia, one year after the region experienced the worst forest fires in decades. The combination of high temperatures, winds and droughts causes the fires to spread very quickly.
Redemptorist priests and volunteers provided material assistance and spiritual support in the areas affected by the fires. The losses were mainly homes. The forest fires affecting various localities in the Andean region left a trail of serious material losses and had a strong impact on the communities of Puerto Patriada, Epuyén and areas near Los Alerces National Park in the province of Chubut.
Father Mariusz Wojciech Jachym, parish priest of El Hoyo and Epuyén, a Redemptorist priest of Polish origin who ministers in the Lago Puelo area, said that in recent days he had remained in Puerto Patriada with local leaders and Caritas teams.
The priest said that there were no fatalities, but described the situation as serious due to the loss of homes and work equipment. In Epuyén, the historic wooden chapel of St. Francis of Assisi, located near Route 40 in a mountainous area close to Lago Puelo and El Bolsón, suffered significant damage.
Father Mario also reported that another Redemptorist priest, Father Jaroslaw Stempien, is assisting with pastoral and community care. Both are members of the community of Redemptorist Missionaries of Lago Puelo, a parish with pastoral responsibility in the El Bolsón area. According to Father Mario, that sector was not directly affected by the fires, as the nearby outbreaks were quickly brought under control.
(Aica Agency / Scala News)
