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Conaf to Have a Projection Team for This Wildfire Season

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• In addition to building firebreaks, increasing inspections, and coordination meetings, authorities urged the community to remain alert.

Authorities in the Biobío Region have implemented a series of measures aimed at keeping the territory prepared to act during this new wildfire season. These include integrating new technical teams, holding coordination meetings with new officials, analyzing increased funding for firebreak construction, and ensuring the proper preventive use of machinery.

These and other topics were discussed yesterday at the regional Disaster Risk Management Committee (Cogrid), where projections for the upcoming summer season were also presented.

When asked about it, the regional director of Senapred, Alejandro Sandoval, explained that projections remain uncertain due to varying climate models on the transition from El Niño to La Niña. However, Chile’s Meteorological Directorate reported that from August to October, there will be a wider-than-normal temperature range, with minimum temperatures below average and maximum temperatures above normal.

"This leads us to infer that we will have a summer similar to last year’s, with heatwaves and the ongoing 15-year drought (...) making us believe it will be a challenging summer in terms of wildfire risk, as in previous years."

PREVENTION MEASURES
Given that 95% of the Biobío Region is at high risk of wildfires, the Cogrid addressed key preparedness actions, the role of municipalities in raising community awareness, emergency stockpiling for initial responses, and local coordination for alerts, preventive patrols, and more.

Conaf director Rodrigo Jara noted that, unlike previous years, in 2024, "since March, we have been preparing a specialized analysis and prognosis team, allowing us to simulate real-time fire conditions and projections. This is a new initiative developed through ongoing collaboration, including with private companies, to build this four-person team."

Jara added that preventive work in Biobío has been ongoing year-round, and they expect to maintain the same resources as last season in terms of brigades and aerial support. This includes four night brigades totaling around 80 people, alongside over 400 firefighters being recruited for the most critical months.

JOINT ACTIONS
Since the 2023 summer wildfires in the region, greater attention has been placed on enforcement and clearing power line corridors. Energy Seremi Daniela Espinoza stated that the Superintendency of Electricity and Fuels (SEC) has already requested preventive plans from companies, outlining specific activities and monitored resources. Additionally, three provincial meetings will be held with municipal teams to review and reinforce these protocols for the wildfire season.

Regarding municipalities’ role, acting regional delegate Humberto Toro said, "As soon as elections conclude and new mayors and councilors are known, we will immediately invite them to a meeting to brief them on the emergency situation, coordination efforts, and their responsibilities."

In another effort, Oscar Ferrel, head of the Regional Government’s Infrastructure Division, mentioned exploring funding alternatives to expand firebreak construction. After investing $50 billion in municipal wildfire prevention equipment, the focus is now on ensuring proper use and meeting targets.

"There’s a need for training, communication with local authorities, and accountability for performance and funding. The Regional Government is pushing for this (...) The equipment is being used, but not at the desired pace," Ferrel admitted.

Source: Subscription edition ofEl Sur newspaper