Fires in Patagonia: An Urgent Call to the Climbing Community

The initiative for this fundraiser came from a group of climbers and mountaineers from USA, France, Argentina (some of whom reside in Patagonia), along with the collaboration of the international non-profit organization Acceso PanAm (dedicated to preserving and keeping open access to climbing and mountaineering areas in Latin America).

Desperate by the current situation that Northern Patagonia is going through, we have decided to take action and call for help from the international community of climbers and mountaineers.

Please keep reading, we need your help.

Wildfires in Patagonia Argentina are currently ravaging thousands of hectares of native forests. In just the past two months (December 2024–January 2025), over 20,000 hectares have burned across three provinces: Chubut, Río Negro, and Neuquén. This is equivalent to 28,000 football fields in the USA. Experts warn that the situation will remain critical at least until April 2025.

The fires are spreading just 125 miles from Piedra Parada and 788 miles from El Chaltén, two of the region’s most iconic climbing destinations. “Northern Patagonia is home to 120 climbing sectors, many of which are now at risk. Alarmingly, two of these fires are occurring inside national parks, further endangering fragile ecosystems” says Esteban Degregori, from Acceso PanAm.

Fire prevention teams are overwhelmed and struggling to contain the blazes. Limited government funding has forced communities to mobilize their own resources, relying heavily on volunteers and grassroots organizations for direct support. Much of the climbing community is literally on the front lines, fighting the fires.

Alan Schwer (@patagonia.film), climber, mountain guide and renowned filmmaker from Patagonia shares: “Never in my life have I seen four consecutive years of so many wildfires in Patagonia. Neither my parents nor my grandparents ever witnessed this. When I was a kid, I saw just one thunderstorm in the ’90s.[... ] And beyond climate changes, population growth is increasing the number of fires caused by arson, accidents, and negligence.”

As climbers, we are deeply connected to these landscapes. The climbing community must act now!

Your donation will support firefighting efforts, restore devastated landscapes, and help the people of El Bolsón, many of whom have lost their homes. Every contribution makes a difference—donate today and stand with Patagonia!