Patagonia

White Forest at Skottsberg Lake

These trees were burned in one of the fires in Torres del Paine. The park has become a popular attraction in the past 30 years and serious fires have come with that popularity - all man-made fires. Apparenlty some backpackers think that burning toilet paper on a windy day in Patagonia is a good idea. I can't recall if this damage was a result of the 2011 fire or from one of the earlier fires. The underbrush is coming back, but the trees are not. The white trees cover the early very densely and there is little room for new trees to grow in between. There is an effort by the park and volunteers to remove the burned trees but it is a very long process.

chileforestforest firelakepatagoniaskottsberg lakesouth americatorres del paine