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Wildfires: Officials Accuse CONAF of Negligence and Becoming a "Payment Box" for Politicians

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• At the Investigative Commission of the Chamber of Deputies regarding the wildfire in the Valparaíso Region, leaders of the CONAF employees' association pointed fingers at the agency's executive director, Christian Little, and the Minister of Agriculture, Esteban Valenzuela, for hiring advisors linked to the Green Social Regionalist Federation (FRVS), where the minister is a member.

Union leaders of the National Forestry Corporation (CONAF) made strong accusations about its management, holding Executive Director Christian Little and Agriculture Minister Esteban Valenzuela responsible.

The officials were invited to testify before the Investigative Commission of the Chamber of Deputies, which is examining political responsibilities and wildfire prevention and response efforts related to the fires that struck the Valparaíso Region in February, claiming 135 lives.

Attendees included Ricardo Heinsohn, Eduardo Olmedo, and Marcelo Pérez, leaders of Sinaprof, the National Union of CONAF Professionals.

In their testimony, they stated that CONAF authorities were warned early about the fire's spread and expressed concern over excessive politically motivated hiring they claim to observe in the agency, which falls under the Ministry of Agriculture.

Specifically, they highlighted the hiring of individuals, many linked to the Green Social Regionalist Federation (FRVS), where the minister is active, with some hires in the O’Higgins Region, the minister's home region.

They cited 23 advisors with no defined roles and, at the request of attending deputies, committed to submitting a detailed report listing these contracts.

When contacted, the Ministry of Agriculture declined to respond to the accusation, stating the matter lies with CONAF.

The Allegation

According to Ricardo Heinsohn, the employees' president, Little's management—appointed in March 2022 by Minister Valenzuela—"falls short" and he has refused to publicly clarify decisions made during the emergency.

He noted that despite a 47% budget increase for wildfire response between 2023 and 2024, this was not reflected in firefighting efforts.

"What was the budget increase for? We suspect funds may have been diverted to hire 23 external advisors at CONAF, something unprecedented in the corporation."

"Questions arise: When did CONAF's director appear during the fire? He was in the area, in Peñuelas as the fire raged, yet did nothing. What measures did he order, when, and through what means? Was there truly no communication method for early warnings?" Little has refused to answer these questions and has not faced accountability."

In Valparaíso alone, he said, five regional directors have been replaced since 2022, all appointed directly by the executive director. "No institution can function this way," the leader stated.

"We’ve been told there’s no budget to hire more staff, no vacancies. Yet funds were available to hire external advisors unfamiliar with CONAF’s operations, allegedly using wildfire budget allocations."

"Approximately $1.8 billion pesos were spent on these advisors."

"They belong to the Green Social Regionalist Front (FRVS), the minister’s party. Many were hired in his home region."

These advisors "have no specific duties," he asserted.

"Historically, until two years ago, O’Higgins had two lawyers; now there are five—something’s off, and that’s the minister’s region."

"CONAF has never before become a 'payment box' for political favors. It’s infuriating—we’re career employees, and this angers us."

"This isn’t just the executive director’s doing—it reaches the minister, who must set things right."

Attending deputies, including Luis Cuello (PC), requested a detailed report listing the advisors, their contracts, and roles.
Early Warning. The Commission also investigated why CONAF failed to issue timely alerts about the fire’s spread.

Footage revealed by T13 shows CONAF had videos of the fires but did not promptly inform SENAPRED, the National Disaster Prevention and Response Service.

Commission chair Tomás Lagomarsino (Radical Party) stated, "CONAF clearly neglected its duty to monitor and track the fire as it advanced toward Viña del Mar and Quilpué. Had they acted diligently, SENAPRED could have been alerted for evacuations."
Leaders testified that Little was warned around 3 PM about the fire’s severity.

Marcelo Pérez, the union’s secretary, recounted that a CONAF employee in Peñuelas warned Little the fire would reach Villa Alemana and Quilpué—but Little laughed off the warning.
During the session, visibly skeptical RN deputy Andrés Longton asked Pérez to repeat the claim.

Opposition deputies have called for CONAF’s director to resign; he has ignored congressional summons.

Source:Ex-Ante