
Forest Fires in Mallin Ahogado, El Bolsón
Donation protected
On Thursday, the 29th of January, a forest fire started by the river Azul in Mallin Ahogado - a large mountain settlement by El Bolsón in Patagonia. The conditions are very dry, very hot and very windy, and the fire has spread quickly with no signs of stopping soon. On the first day it took over 700 houses including our old family home, my aunt’s house and my uncles house, among many others belonging to loved ones and family members, and the count continues to rise as we speak.
While the local fire department is doing their best, our input is essential and everyone who has hands is helping to put out lingering embers where the land has been scorched, and trying to control the flames where the fire is spreading. The people who live here are mostly humble folk whose lives rely on the land and many of whose livelihoods have perished in the fire, but we have to keep fighting.
The results of this fire have been absolutely devastating so far and we need more equipment if we want to control this fire. That’s why I’m appealing to you all to please donate anything you can so we can build our arsenal to combat the fires. The economy here is very bad and most people struggle to afford the basics as it is, so truly anything you can give is welcome. If you can’t donate, please share this as far and wide as you can.
The money raised will go towards buying generators, pumps and hose pipes to pump water from the streams up the mountain; shovels and hoes to bury embers; fuel for chainsaws, generators and cars (for transport of personnel and kit); radios to keep up to date with where the fire is going; food to feed the people working day and night to put out the flames, and eventually to help rebuild electricity lines, water pipes and homes from the ashes up.
Please help us save our home and stop these fires in their tracks.
Thank you.
*location for the go fund me didn’t have the option to put Argentina but that’s where we are!
Organizer
Maggie Magowan
Organizer
England