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Communities Prepared to Reduce the Risk of Wildfires

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• Caritas Chile, together with USAID/BHA, CONAF, SENAPRED, and Bomberos de Chile, organizes the first national gathering of communities prepared to reduce the risk of wildfires.

The "First National Gathering of Communities Prepared for Wildfire Risk Reduction" took place in the Metropolitan Region. This national initiative aims to "create a space for Prepared Communities in wildfire reduction across Chile, allowing them to exchange experiences and best practices to strengthen and protect communities."

The event brought together 35 communities from the regions of Atacama to Magallanes at the National Firefighters Academy of Chile in Talagante, to share experiences and lessons on wildfire preparedness and prevention measures.

This first gathering fulfills a long-standing aspiration of civil society institutions and organizations that have worked with communities for years, sharing the proven conviction that the only way to prevent wildfires is by strengthening and equipping communities. Thus, Caritas Chile, USAID, BHA, SENAPRED, CONAF, and Bomberos de Chile joined forces to bring together communities from the Community Prevention Network, CERT groups, local committees, and community brigades, among other territorial actors from across the country, in this first national meeting.

Together we are a community, together we prevent.
Caritas Chile and USAID/BHA have emphasized that strengthening territorial organizations is essential for fostering community resilience. "This event is a milestone in Latin America, setting a precedent to expand the Network of Prepared Communities not only in Chile but across the rest of Latin America and the Caribbean," said Luisa Alfaro, a representative of USAID/BHA Costa Rica, who highlighted the importance of collaboration among different stakeholders during the opening ceremony.

During the inaugural session, Interior Minister Carolina Tohá stressed the importance of wildfire prevention through a series of public and private measures to reduce risk, emphasizing the role of community organization in shaping policies for mitigating and responding to adverse events. "We will turn this into an annual tradition as part of the summer wildfire preparedness process. In recent years, we have significantly intensified efforts with resources and new legislation. But this citizen component is vital to succeeding in our efforts to prevent wildfire risks," stated the Secretary of State.

Similarly, Ricardo Osses, president of the emergency and prevention committee of Peñablanca in the commune of Quillón, affirmed that neighbor unity and organization contribute to the success of preventive actions. He highlighted the privilege of being part of this first national gathering, which brings together diverse community leaders to share, discuss, and plan future actions as a network.

Lorenzo Figueroa, director of Caritas Chile, stated, "We are at a dangerous threshold. The severe climate and ecological emergency we face has intensified the frequency and severity of wildfires in urban-forest interfaces, both globally and in our country. Protecting our planet, our Common Home, and all life within it is an ethical, political, and scientific challenge that concerns us all. We firmly believe that the condition and possibility of our existence as humanity lie in the strength of our bonds and our ability to act together through recognition, collaboration, and solidarity. That is why we strongly believe in the leadership of communities in their territories and their capacity to engage with public and private actors to prevent and reduce wildfire risks. Because it is the communities that suffer the effects of wildfires and climate change. And above all, because we know that despite the threats and vulnerabilities they face, they can offer their knowledge, culture, and practices—their ways of living and inhabiting their territories—as contributions to mitigating and confronting the challenges posed by wildfires and climate change. Therefore, we are deeply grateful for the participation of community leaders in this gathering and hopeful that this National Event will mark a milestone in recognizing their role in addressing socio-environmental challenges, as well as in securing decisive support from state agencies, private entities, and international cooperation for their efforts to protect their communities and ecosystems."

Network of Prepared Communities
Caritas Chile has contributed to community strengthening and the implementation of disaster risk reduction measures in 73 communities across the country, efforts supported by the ongoing cooperation of Caritas Germany and the valuable assistance of USAID/BHA. In the coming weeks, Caritas Chile will launch new projects with 18 communities in the Valparaíso, Maule, Biobío, and Ñuble regions to reduce the risk of urban-forest interface wildfires, thanks to the technical and financial support of international cooperation agencies. Undoubtedly, community work ensures prevention and the protection of communities and their living spaces. Promoting a network of prepared communities, alongside the essential role of the state in prevention, will enhance their capacities to face emergencies worsened by climate change. The opportunities provided by this national event to exchange knowledge, best practices, and reflections on shared experiences are fundamental contributions to strengthening their capacities and actions aimed at prevention and risk reduction.