Presentation short abstract

We analyze the particular way in which fire, in Argentina, becomes a political problem from the role that collective actions have had, which establish debates about the neo-extractivist production model, the role of the State, the meanings of “nature”, and the definitions of fire.

Presentation long abstract

The use of fire as a tool for land management in Argentina dates back to the colonial era, linked to productive activities and rural ways of life. However, in the 21st century, fires have come to be considered a "problem" on the public agenda. This shift is due to both climatic factors and the advance of a neo-extractivist model based on the intensive exploitation of natural resources, as well as to social struggles that challenge this model.

In Patagonia and the central part of the country, fires are linked to territorial conflicts and real estate speculation; in the northern region, to the expansion of the agricultural frontier; while in the Paraná Delta, more than 200,000 hectares burned due to the expansion of livestock farming.

Fire is no longer perceived solely as a natural threat, but as a political phenomenon that calls into question the productive model, the role of the State, and the very concept of "nature." These disputes highlight tensions between neo-extractivism and socio-environmental movements that denounce environmental degradation. Thus, the fires in Argentina are symptomatic of a broader territorial conflict, where economic interests, state policies, and citizen resistance converge. Therefore, fire as a political phenomenon allows us to understand the new forms of social conflict emerging in southern South America.