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Individual Who Prevented Firefighters from Accessing Wildfire Formally Charged

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Despite not having authorization from CONAF for a controlled burn on his rural property, 62-year-old Roberto Leonel Rojas Vergara ignited forest debris and stubble, causing a fire last Monday near Route J-115 in Curicó.

Not content with that, the man prevented volunteer firefighters from entering the area, though they ultimately managed to extinguish the flames before they could spread to neighboring properties.

Due to this irresponsible act, the perpetrator was arrested, while the Public Ministry ordered investigations by Carabineros' Labocar personnel.

In this context, prosecutor Juan Pablo Araya explained that police officers apprehended the accused.

"Police personnel proceeded to arrest an individual who carried out grassland burning in the La Esmeralda sector of Teno during a period when such activity is not authorized," he said.

ALTERNATIVE RESOLUTION

The prosecutor added that, given the ongoing emergency, "local firefighters arrived and managed to extinguish the fire, which affected half a hectare of the agricultural property."

Juan Pablo Araya stated that, for this action, Roberto Rojas Vergara was formally charged with the crime of arson.

Since the accused has no criminal record, the prosecution requested an abbreviated procedure, with the court scheduling an alternative resolution hearing for the first week of March.

Source:Diario La Prensa