"It will be a complicated season": Ñuble launches wildfire combat period
In Quirihue, the 2025-2026 Action Plan for the prevention, mitigation, and control of wildfires in the Ñuble region was launched, aiming to prepare emergency and combat teams for a new season, which authorities predict will be quite complex.
This is due to the high temperatures forecast for the summer and the scarce rainfall during the winter months, causing soils to be even drier and lacking sufficient moisture to withstand the high temperatures of the coming months.
Given this scenario, the plan focuses on three aspects: prevention, mitigation, and combat. These aspects were achieved with an injection of over $600 million into the Ñuble region, precisely to face the season as effectively as possible and avoid situations like those that occurred in 2023.
The plan's launch was led by the Minister of Agriculture, Ignacia Fernández, who emphasized that, in particular, this "will be a complicated season."
In a conversation with La Discusión, the authority stated that "we are expecting concerning climatic conditions" and elaborated on the call for prevention, noting that while high temperatures are anticipated, "we know that almost all wildfires are caused by human action."
"It is important to prevent, to avoid negligent and accidental actions, to prevent wildfires. Nevertheless, we must be prepared to face this season. That is why we are launching the plan here in Ñuble, milestones we are carrying out this week in different regions of the country," said Fernández.
"We expect a very extreme season, marked by the climate crisis and temperature scenarios, but it is important to prevent and signal that all available resources are in place," the minister stressed.
Available Resources
The launch disclosed all the resources available to Ñuble during this season. The Chinook helicopter, which was actively used during the last season, will remain available at the Bernardo O'Higgins Aerodrome in Chillán.
"The plan has seen a considerable increase nationally. More than a 100% increase since we took office. Today, we have $160 billion for contracting brigades, both day and night, along with aircraft. In addition to all prevention tasks," added the authority.
In the case of Ñuble, 20 ground brigades will be formed, along with two air tankers and the Chinook helicopter. Total funding for the region reaches $660 million, also focused on "rapid intervention trucks, mobile command vehicles, response equipment."
"All this contribution has also been a joint effort with the Regional Government, which has contributed to equipping all these vehicles."
Fernández emphasized that all these resources are "base" resources, as they will be stationed in the region but can vary according to needs and emergencies.
"These resources, based on what the last seasons have shown, are sufficient to face the season. But it must be said that if more resources are needed, there is a central command post from which additional brigades and aircraft can be allocated," concluded Fernández.
Source:La Discusión
