The main characteristics of biodiversity in this area are determined by its temperate forests, which are among the few of their kind in the world. In particular, this is an evergreen temperate forest, which makes it even more unique. It is home to iconic tree species such as larch, Guaitecas cypress, and mountain cypress, as well as various species of Nothofagus and Myrtaceae, typical of these ecosystems.

Likewise, this region is home to huemul populations, a species that we at Puelo Patagonia have been studying since 2018. We also find other endangered species, such as Darwin’s frog, the pudú, the monito del monte and the Patagonian viscacha, among others.

We know that the fire entered through a sector north of Paso El León and that fortunately its advance has been slow due to the effectiveness of the firefighting carried out by CONAF, which after months of preparation acted immediately. In addition, in the higher altitude sectors the vegetation is scarcer, which could facilitate the containment of the fire. According to the mayor, the fire is under control.

The forest in Chilean territory has been largely unaffected, but the situation on the Argentine side is worrying, where a fire has consumed thousands of hectares in the Nahuel Huapi National Park, an emblematic area.

The loss of biodiversity in this area is alarming, since the Andes Mountains form a single ecosystem. When the Argentine side is burned, the Chilean side is also affected, as many species move across borders. Fires of this magnitude significantly alter the ecosystem dynamics of the Andean forests.

As a non-governmental organization, we are actively working to lay the foundations to recover and preserve this territory. The existence of these ecosystems demands the implementation of conservation plans, and that is precisely the objective of Conserva Puchegüín: to protect 133,000 hectares and, at the same time, connect protected areas such as Nahuel Huapi and Vicente Pérez Rosales.

Finally, these spaces are part of the same ecosystem that deserves to be protected. There are few territories that still conserve such a level of pristinity, and therein lies the urgency of their long-term conservation.

We appreciate the efficient action of the authorities and the concern of the Municipality of Cochamó for the neighbors living in the area.

We hope that the weekend rains will help Cochamó, its forests and its inhabitants.