Patagonia in flames, facts against a conspiracy theory

ARGENTINE POLITICS

Patagonia in flames: facts against a conspiracy theory

José Urrejola

13/01/January 202613, 2026

The fires in Argentina's Patagonia revive conspiracy theories blaming Israelis without evidence. Experts and official records explain the real causes of the fire and call to avoid prejudice.

https://p.dw.com/p/56lhy

name. The fires, aggravated by weather conditions, have raised anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. Image: Matias Garay/REUTERS

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Every time there are large fires in Argentine or Chilean Patagonia, unsubstantiated accusations resurface on social networks that point to people or groups of Israeli nationality as responsible for the fire.

These versions are usually supported by the so-called "Andinia Plan", an old anti-Semitic conspiracy theory  that claims, without evidence, that there would be a plan to create a Jewish state in Patagonia, a region with abundant fresh water and fertile land.

Added to this story is the presence of young Jews who, after completing their compulsory military service, make the traditional Hatiyul Hagadol ("Great Journey") through countries such as Peru, Brazil, Argentina and Chile. His passage through the region, along with isolated episodes from the past, has been used to feed conspiracy narratives without empirical support.

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Argentina: fires, data and disinformation

In recent days, more than 15,000 hectares were consumed by fire in the provinces of Chubut, Santa Cruz, Río Negro and Neuquén. On a national television program, one woman said the forest fires were intentional because the government wanted to "sell Patagonia to all Jews" and foreigners. Other versions pointed to Mapuche communities  or radicalized groups.

Hernán Giardini, coordinator of Greenpeace's Forest Campaign in Argentina, explains to DW that "two of the fires (El Turbio and Los Alerces National Park) started due to lightning from thunderstorms."

And, although there may be intentionality in some cases, he clarifies that "this does not explain in any way that there is a systematic plan of the Mapuche people or Israel. They are conspiracy theories that have no basis, no evidence."

"There are hundreds of fires, every summer. Most of them are from barbecues and bonfires of Argentines, tourists, locals and some foreigners, but they are not the majority," adds Giardini.

95 percent of the fires caused in Argentine Patagonia have been caused by humans, experts say.Image: Nicolas Palacios/AP Photo/dpa/picture alliance

The political factor and speculation

In Argentina, the controversy is reinforced by the stance of President Javier Milei, who has declared himself close to Judaism and seeks to modify the Fire Management Law. The change would allow the purchase of burned land, also by foreign investors.

For Giardini, the initiative may fuel suspicions, "but it will have to be evaluated with data. There is also no evidence that there is a systematic plan to buy burnt land at a low price."

Why there are almost never those responsible

Argentine Patagonia stretches for thousands of kilometers, with several virgin areas. Although most fires are of human origin, those responsible are almost never identified. And if it happens, his identity is only made public after a judicial conviction.

Andrés Nápoli, executive director of the Environment and Natural Resources Foundation (FARN), points out that, "since we do not have many convicted for these issues, what we could appeal is that statistics tell you that 95 percent of fires are the product of human action."

Environmental activists protest calling for greater action from Argentine authorities to fight the fires in Patagonia.Image: Rosana Álvarez Mullner/ZUMA/IMAGO

"Argentina does not have environmental crimes in the Penal Code. Why are there no convictions? Because you can't prosecute anyone criminally," explains Nápoli.

That is, if a person, regardless of their nationality, makes a barbecue, leaves it badly extinguished and causes a fire without damaging private property or third parties, "they will not have any legal conviction if they only damage nature. There is no crime," he adds.

For his part, Giardini reinforces this idea: "Identity, name or nationality, is not revealed until there is a conviction. It is usually part of the investigation. It is almost never discovered who it was. Still, if it was an accident, it is not a criminal offense. And most fires are accidents."

Extreme weather and lack of resources

For the Greenpeace environmentalist, the studies "show that climate change is causing thunderstorms that were not common in the area and at this time of year, when it rains little."

For this reason, he points to the main culprits of the fires in Argentine Patagonia: "The climate crisis, the drought, the national government that cut funds and the provincial government that did not increase its capacity."

What is the situation like in Chilean Patagonia?

Although much smaller, areas of Chilean Patagonia such as the Torres del Paine National Park, in the Magallanes and Antarctica region, are visited by tourists from all over the world. As it is a delimited area, it is possible to keep a detailed record of fires and sanctions.

According to data provided to DW by Michael Arcos, head of CONAF's Department of Protected Wildlife Areas in the region, "most of the tourists who come to the park are from the United States."

Israeli visitors registered in 2024 and 2025 were 1,288 and 2,821, respectively, "which represents a figure that does not exceed 1 percent of the total number of visitors arriving annually." This data dismantles the theory of an alleged mass arrival of Israeli citizens to colonize the area.

A look at the trees burned after one of the fires in the Torres del Paine National Park, in Chile.Image: Jon G. Fuller/VWPics/IMAGO

Fires and nationalities

When tourists light bonfires in unauthorised areas and are surprised by park rangers, the date and nationality are recorded and they are expelled from the park. Since 2011, among those sanctioned are citizens of Argentina, Ecuador, Israel, Lithuania, Germany, France, Sweden, Spain, Ukraine, Russia, Norway, Japan, Holland, Switzerland, Italy, Iran, Canada, the United States, Brazil, Australia and Chile.

"The park has had two megafires in the 21st century. The first, in 2005, which was caused by a citizen of Czech origin; and the second, in 2011, which was caused by an Israeli tourist," explains Arcos. The latter had a great media impact in the country.

Calls to avoid prejudice

Arcos stresses that CONAF "treats all violations of the regulations, such as unauthorized bonfires or illegal camping, with impartiality, registering cases in visitors of various nationalities, including Chileans."

On the negative impression of Israeli tourists in the area, he concludes: "We are aware of this perception that some have due to concrete experiences, but in no case should it be transformed into prejudice. The data indicate that these are specific cases, not representative of any national community. Our task is to continue educating and applying the rule with equity to protect the park."

(MS)