Human-Induced Climate Change and Budget Cuts Intensify South American Wildfires, Threatening Ancient Forests
Recent wildfires in Argentina and Chile have been exacerbated by human-induced climate change, land-use changes, and significant budget cuts, according to a report by World Weather Attribution (WWA). The fires, which began in early January, have devastated large areas of south-central Chile and parts of Argentina's Patagonia, including Los Alerces National Park, home to some of the world's oldest trees. The report highlights that these regions are experiencing 20% to 25% less rainfall due to climate change, driven by fossil fuel emissions. The analysis suggests that extreme fire weather conditions are now nearly three times as likely due to the 1.3°C of human-caused warming. Additionally, the presence of highly flammable pine tree plantations has increased wildfire risks. Budget cuts under President Javier Milei, who denies human-induced climate change, have further strained firefighting efforts, with the National Fire Management Service's budget reduced by 69% compared to 2023. 
