News

Working on Wildfire Prevention in Los Ángeles

Sponsors

• The municipality adopted the working model of the Community Prevention Network, creating 15 local prevention committees.

With a strong emphasis on social prevention and collaboration among different sectors, the discussion "Best Practices in Fire Prevention" was held, an initiative organized by various organizations.

The event, which brought together local authorities, wildfire experts, representatives from Senapred, Firefighters, Carabineros, and members of the prevention committees, focused on the importance of adopting preventive measures to reduce fire risks in the commune.

Regarding this, the mayor of the commune, Esteban Krause, highlighted the work they have been implementing for over a year through the Disaster Risk and Wildfire Prevention Committee led by the municipality itself. "We firmly believe that to combat wildfires and reduce their occurrence, prevention is essential and must originate from organized communities. That’s why we have enthusiastically joined this effort led by the Network."

The president of the Forest Protection Department of Corma, Ramón Figueroa, stated, "In terms of prevention, working with the community is crucial. In the commune of Los Ángeles, this has allowed us to reduce wildfires by over 70% in high-risk areas. It’s very effective, especially when working hand in hand with mayors, as they develop a strategy and a work plan aimed at reducing occurrences in Chile."

Meanwhile, the coordinator of the Community Prevention Network, Myriam Mellado, noted, "Today, neighbors in Chile are preparing to prevent fires, and that involves changing behaviors and habits. The Network’s work is year-round—in winter, neighbors identify their risks, and once aware, they can mitigate them with all stakeholders in the area."

The Community Prevention Network, which has been working on social prevention for seven years, operates in 7 regions across the country, with 494 Prevention Committees. "50% of our committees have had no fires, and 80% have fewer than three fires each summer," Mellado stated.