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Rodrigo O’Ryan, President of Corma, Criticizes Low Effectiveness in Wildfire Investigations

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In "Conversando con la Acoforag," he addressed the main challenges of the forestry sector in Chile.

In episode 47 of "Conversando con la Acoforag," Rodrigo O’Ryan, the new president of the Chilean Wood Corporation (Corma), discussed the key challenges facing the forestry sector in Chile. He highlighted the need to strengthen security, improve investigative capabilities, and promote a collaborative approach to address the complexities affecting the industry.

O’Ryan also criticized the low effectiveness in investigating wildfires in Chile, pointing out that only 1% of intentional cases result in convictions, compared to 20% in countries like Spain. “We don’t need harsher penalties, but rather to improve the flow of information between the police, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, and the judicial system to ensure the law is enforced,” he emphasized.

Four Pillars for Comprehensive Management

O’Ryan proposed that the approach to wildfires should be based on four pillars: Prevention: Increased preventive patrols and reduction of combustible biomass; Suppression: Promoting nighttime firefighting with ground and aerial resources, especially since 30% of fires occur at night; Prosecution: Strengthening investigative tools and more effectively penalizing those responsible; and Restoration: Advancing forestry promotion laws focused on small and medium landowners to ensure sector sustainability.

He acknowledged that the state of emergency in the Southern Macrozone was previously unthinkable but is now considered necessary. He stressed that ensuring safety for workers and landowners is essential for living in peace and maintaining the sector’s productivity.

The Forestry Sector as a Pillar of Sustainable Development

The president of Corma also called for strengthening the forestry sector as a central pillar of economic and sustainable development. He underscored the importance of biomass as Chile’s main renewable energy source and timber construction as a carbon sink.

“We are building something very powerful. Wood is not only a sustainable resource but also a key tool to tackle climate change and connect people with nature,” he noted. Additionally, he advocated for a collaborative approach among governments, the private sector, and civil society to overcome global and local challenges.

Vision for the Future

O’Ryan urged technological advancement without losing the connection to nature and building a society that values sustainability as a cross-cutting principle, beyond political ideologies.

“Chile has a unique opportunity to lead in green energy and sustainable materials. With vision, dialogue, and coordination, we can strengthen this key sector and ensure a more prosperous and balanced future,” he concluded.

The full interview is available on Acoforag’s YouTube channel: