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Quillón Shields Itself Against Fire: 50 km of Firebreaks Built

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• Preventive strategy in Quillón successfully stops 11 potential wildfires, protecting the community and its natural surroundings.

In Quillón, a town that still remembers the flames that ravaged it in the past, prevention has become the best tool to combat wildfires. The Disaster Risk Management Unit, with the collaboration of Conaf and other agencies, has prevented 11 fire outbreaks from turning into major disasters, thanks to the construction of 50 kilometers of firebreaks and intensive community efforts.

 "These firebreaks have been a great help for us because we’ve had a really tough time. We’ve already faced two major fires—one was controlled, and the other (Santa Gertrudis) overwhelmed us," recounts Héctor Villalobos, a resident of El Peley, one of the areas benefiting from these measures.

The prevention strategy has been a direct response to the devastating 2023 Santa Gertrudis fire, which put the community at risk. Since then, the municipality has worked tirelessly, mapping the territory with municipal graders and removing dry vegetation, which becomes dangerous fuel in the summer.

Mayor Miguel Peña highlights the significant work of the Disaster Risk Management Unit and Conaf’s collaboration in building firebreaks. "This shows the joint effort we’ve made, from a preventive standpoint, to avoid the possibility of fires or the spread of any that may occur," he states.

Prevention is not limited to physical barriers. The Municipality of Quillón, along with Conaf, Senapred, the Regional Government, Caritas Chile, and Empresas Arauco, has also focused on training the population in wildfire prevention and fostering a culture of care for shared land. 

Cristián Urrutia, head of Conaf’s Forest Fire Prevention Section, emphasizes the importance of adapting to Quillón’s dynamic population, identifying and protecting new at-risk areas each year.

 Despite a rainy 2023 and high summer temperatures, authorities remain optimistic thanks to the preventive measures implemented, which have proven effective in the commune most affected by last year’s wildfires in the Ñuble Region. 

The grateful community acknowledges the value of these actions, which have protected their homes and lives, and commits to continuing collaboration in this fight against fire—a battle that, though invisible, is constant and crucial for everyone’s safety.