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Fire in Los Álamos: Mayor Accuses Arson in Blaze That Consumes 500 Hectares
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After being assigned by the Public Ministry, the PDI (Investigative Police) launched an investigation into the fire raging in the commune of Los Álamos. To reinforce this effort, a specialized team from Temuco will arrive in Biobío to assist with the tasks.
The "Pelahuanco V" wildfire has so far burned 500 hectares in the commune of Los Álamos, in the Biobío region. Mayor Pablo Vegas claimed the fire, primarily affecting the Toco Toco sector, was intentional, citing simultaneous outbreaks that complicated firefighting efforts.
"This is intentional; there is intent here. There were outbreaks in other sectors, even trapping a team of forest firefighters," the mayor stated in an interview with Meganoticias.
Given the severity of the situation, the National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (Senapred) declared a Red Alert for the commune and ordered the preventive evacuation of the affected area. However, the mayor explained that this measure has not yet been necessary, though the flames continue advancing toward the Nahuelbuta Mountain Range.
CONAF reported that 4 technicians, 9 firefighting teams, 2 water-dropping planes, 1 Hercules C-130 aircraft, and 1 helicopter are deployed in the area, working intensively to contain the fire. Additionally, firebreaks and strategies have been implemented to prevent flames from reaching urban areas of Los Álamos.
Mayor Vegas highlighted adverse conditions for fire control, such as constant winds and high temperatures, compounded by the commune's dense forest material. "It's tragic to have a fire at this time of year, given the conditions in Arauco Province," he lamented.
The Provincial Presidential Delegate of Arauco, Humberto Toro, stated, "We are facing a highly complex situation. Therefore, we reiterate the call for prevention but also ask for the public’s help in providing information."
"The Los Álamos fire is intentional. People are setting fires, endangering lives and homes. Thus, the call is clear: we need citizens to share information."
Meanwhile, Margarita Celis, manager of the Chilean Wood Corporation (Corma) in Biobío and Ñuble, noted, "A fire with clear signs of arson is affecting Los Álamos in the Biobío region, with multiple active outbreaks. It is also suspicious that, very close to this fire, eight simultaneous outbreaks were recorded last night on private land." She added, "Los Álamos has a concerning 65% rate of intentional fires. It is alarming that these crimes—potentially linked to timber theft, as the delegate noted—occur while the province is under a state of constitutional exception. This demands redefining preventive security measures urgently. We call on authorities to identify and punish those responsible and urge citizens to report suspicious activity."
Similarly, Arauco’s Deputy General Manager, David Gutiérrez, asserted, "It’s important to emphasize and invite everyone to focus on prevention. Unfortunately, these fires are intentional and may be tied to illegal activities like timber theft."
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