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Prevention Initiative in Biobío Aims to "Extinguish" Wildfires in Winter
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- Brigades and communities join forces in a campaign to reduce wildfire risk through vegetation fuel management and firebreak construction.
With the arrival of autumn and winter, the Community Prevention Network, alongside the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf) of the Concepción Province, and the companies Arauco and CMPC, launched the campaign "Wildfires Are Extinguished in Winter." This initiative aims to take advantage of the season to effectively manage vegetation fuel by clearing weeds, pruning trees, and removing debris, which is crucial for wildfire prevention.
In a demonstration of collaborative work, three professional brigades from Conaf, Arauco, and CMPC, along with municipal experts, spent over three hours building an 800-meter firebreak in the Carlos Mahns sector of the Tomé commune, an area with a high elderly population and significant historical heritage.
Giovanni Serey, Provincial Chief of Conaf Concepción, emphasized the importance of year-round prevention, stressing that winter actions are key to reducing risks in the summer season when wildfires are actively fought.
The local community has welcomed the initiative with gratitude. Luis Sanhueza, president of the Pampa Nº3 Neighborhood Council, expressed relief at the construction of the firebreaks, describing the area's topography and vegetation as a "ticking time bomb."
Mariana Contreras, manager of the Community Prevention Network, highlighted the collaboration between public, private, and civil society entities in wildfire prevention, while Yesenia Valerio of CMPC underscored the importance of working jointly with the community to identify and mitigate risks.
Sergio Valenzuela, from the Civil Protection Unit of the Tomé Municipality, and Juan Pablo Bascuñán, Arauco's Brigade Chief, agreed on the effectiveness of preventive work during the colder months, when it is easier to reduce fuel and prepare protection lines.
The campaign "Wildfires Are Extinguished in Winter" is an example of how prevention and collaboration can play a crucial role in protecting the environment and communities from natural disasters.
