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"Difficult" Wildfire Season Forecasted for La Araucanía Region

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• Authorities reported that the recruitment of 380 firefighters for CONAF has already begun, and risks in various municipalities are being analyzed.

Government authorities warn that La Araucanía Region could face a "difficult" wildfire season.

This was explained yesterday after an intersectoral preparation meeting ahead of the start of the good weather weeks, a risk management session led by the regional presidential delegate, José Montalva, alongside the regional director of the National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (Senapred), Janet Medrano, and the regional director of CONAF, María Teresa Huentequeo.

After the meeting, which included organizations such as the Armed Forces, Carabineros, Firefighters, and the Ministry of Public Works (MOP), authorities noted that weather forecasts point to a season with large amounts of dry, tall shrubs due to recent flooding. These elements will be easy prey for fires once wildfires begin, fueled by high temperatures.

"A similarly difficult season is anticipated. Experts in climatology and meteorological conditions say it will be a tough season. Although we are emerging from a flooding process, reduced rainfall is coming. We must prepare," said CONAF's regional director, María Teresa Huentequeo.

RESOURCES
The regional head of CONAF added that wildfire strategy preparation sessions have been held in both Malleco and Cautín provinces, meeting with municipal emergency officers. CONAF specified that for the 2024-2025 season, the hiring of 380 firefighters based across La Araucanía Region is being considered—the same number as the previous season. Additionally, four air tankers, three helicopters, two specialized machines, and one coordination and monitoring aircraft are planned.

Prevention is Key
The regional director of Senapred mentioned that detailed plans for high-risk wildfire areas in each municipality are also being refined. These locations may eventually require firebreaks once summer weather arrives. In this context, presidential delegate José Montalva emphasized that "it is always better to prevent and invest in resources to extinguish fires as quickly as possible," noting that during the last season (2023-2024), over $9 billion was spent just on fighting fires in Lonquimay.

Source: subscription edition ofEl Austral de Temuco