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Chillán Viejo Begins Construction of 8,000 Meters of Firebreaks

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The Municipality of Chillán Viejo announced the start of construction of over 8,000 meters of firebreaks at nearly 30 strategic points, in both urban and rural areas, as an ambitious effort to strengthen community protection against the threat of forest fires.

This initiative is part of a prevention and protection plan that prioritizes the safety of its residents, in light of the scenario of high temperatures and increasing water scarcity affecting the region.

"We are going to intervene with 8,000 linear meters in this new firebreak season, preventing what could be forest fires, which have increased significantly in recent years. We started today, October 20th, moving the season forward assuming that the hot weather will also increase its presence, and we hope to reach all areas by mid-November. From then on, we will be prepared with our emergency teams to assist our neighbors in case of any eventuality," said Mayor Jorge del Pozo.

The total investment for this project exceeds $50 million, an amount coming from municipal funds, reflecting the municipality's commitment to acting proactively in protecting its communities and ecosystems. The firebreaks will be 10 meters wide, a dimension specifically designed to create effective barriers that prevent the spread of fires, minimizing damage in case of incidents.

"We believe that this work we are doing in urban areas with our machinery, and we know we will have the collaboration of CONAF in rural sectors. This combined effort will yield the results we expect, which is why we are confident that the planned work will be completed within the timeframe calculated by our technical teams. We hope our machinery encounters no issues, and if that's the case, we will achieve the goal we set for this year 2025," emphasized the mayor of Chillán Viejo.

It is noteworthy that the start of the works was brought forward by almost a month compared to usual, as in 2024 the season officially began on November 15th, allowing authorities to begin prevention tasks ahead of schedule and thus be better prepared for the rapidly approaching summer season. The swift progress aims to take advantage of favorable weather conditions and reduce risks associated with high temperatures that typically intensify during this time of year.

The implementation of these firebreaks is based on a precise assessment developed by the municipality's technical teams and expert risk management organizations, who identified the most vulnerable and strategic points for protecting urban and rural areas. Additionally, this initiative considers the active participation of the community, promoting neighborly collaboration and raising awareness about fire prevention.

The works are estimated to be completed by the end of November, allowing for an operational network of firebreaks to be in place during the peak risk season.

Source:La Discusión