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Young, Smiling, and a New Firefighter Martyr: Who Was Duban Olate, One of the Fallen CMPC Brigade Members

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The La Araucanía Region was in mourning this Sunday when, during efforts to combat a forest fire in the commune of Los Sauces, three CMPC brigade members lost their lives.

The three individuals were trapped by the flames after a sudden shift in the fire's direction, where despite their collective experience, they could do nothing to save their lives.

Who Was Duban Olate

This tragedy deeply impacted the city of Yumbel and the Fire Department, as one of the victims was the 22-year-old volunteer firefighter Duban Olate.

Described by those close to him as a joyful person with big dreams, he always fought forest fires and never hesitated to risk his life to save others.

The Second Fire Company of Yumbel stated, "Today, the sound of the siren rings louder in mourning," adding, "His absence leaves an immense void in our ranks, in every corner of our station, in every shared memory with him. To his family and loved ones, we send our deepest condolences during this difficult time."

"Your laughter echoed like a joyful sound during our shifts, your boundless energy inspired us, and your love for this firefighting family was immense. We don’t believe this is a goodbye, but a 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐨𝐨𝐧. You will forever be remembered not only for your outstanding dedication and service but for the nobility of your heart and the warmth you left in each of us," concluded the heartfelt message.

Meanwhile, Yumbel Mayor José Sáez said in a video, "Today is a sad day, as our commune joins in grief over the sudden loss of a son of Yumbel, who lost his life fighting the fires affecting our country."

CMPC and the Death of Its Brigade Members

In a statement, CMPC expressed that it "regrets to report the death of three brigade members, who lost their lives yesterday, Sunday, January 19, while fighting a fire in the Trintre sector, in the commune of Los Sauces, La Araucanía Region."

"The deceased brigade members, who belonged to the company Servicios Forestales Nacimiento (Serfonac), are: Duban Alejandro Ignacio Olate Farías, 22 years old; José Luis Quezada Barra, 44 years old; and Cristián Alexis Guerra Acuña, 43 years old," they added regarding the victims' identities.

Similarly, they emphasized, "We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the fallen brigade members, their friends, coworkers, and loved ones."

"Our teams remain engaged in fighting this fire, and we will continue to provide updates in the coming hours," they stated.

Source:El Desconcierto