Abstract

LOBBA ARAUJO, Juan. Responsibilities and Prevention of Wildland Interface Fire Risk in the Comarca Andina del Paralelo 42°, Argentine Patagonia. Bol. estud. geogr. [online]. 2023, n.119, pp.53-88.  Epub Aug 28, 2023. ISSN 2525-1813.  http://dx.doi.org/10.48162/rev.40.028.

The hazard of wildland urban interface fires in the Comarca Andina del Paralelo 42° rerpresents a significant environmental issue for local municipalities, provincial and national institutions, and the general population. These increasingly frequent fires result in substantial losses and present significant challenges in terms of management and prevention. Within this framework, the responsibilities on the fires are set upon debate each time an emergency or disaster scenery arises. This study adopts a social risk theory framework to examine the complex relationship between human perception of risk and the creation and re-creation of hazardous and vulnerable conditions in environmental disasters. Analyzing the case of the March 9th, 2021 fire, the study highlights how population vulnerability significantly influenced the extent of damage incurred. Furthermore, three prevention campaigns conducted by state institutions responsible for fire management in the region are evaluated to understand how they interpret and address the associated risks in their strategies. The analysis reveals that these campaigns predominantly target individual subjects, including visitors, rural residents, and new interface inhabitants, limiting their focus to the causes of ignition and dangerous conditions. Brochures, infographics, cartoons, networking campaign manuals, signs, regulations and interviews were analyzed, together with in-depth interviews with officials, and direct and indirect fire victims. In conclusion, the study offers reflections and proposes potential approaches to address this complex issue, emphasizing landscape-scale interventions, urban planning considerations, and the provision of rights and essential services for vulnerable populations. This research contributes to the scientific understanding of responsibilities and preventive measures necessary for mitigating wildland interface fire risk in the Comarca Andina del Paralelo 42°, in Patagonia Argentina.

Keywords : Comarca Andina del Paralelo 42°; risk; responsibilities; wildland and wildland-urban interface fires; prevention campaigns.

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