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Former Maintenance Chief of Electric Company Charged for Fire in Los Ríos

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The Regional Prosecutor's Office of Los Ríos has formalized an investigation against a former maintenance chief of the electric company Saesa, identified as responsible for the forest fire that devastated over 2,800 hectares in the La Plata area, Paillaco municipality, in December 2022.

The blaze, which destroyed native vegetation and plantations, caused million-dollar losses and jeopardized the safety of the area.

According to the Unit for Crimes Against the Environment and Cultural Heritage, the accused, who was in charge of coordinating clearing work, allegedly failed in his duty to maintain the safety strip beneath the power lines. This negligence is believed to have caused a eucalyptus tree to fall onto the electrical wiring, triggering the fire that spread rapidly due to the dryness of the vegetation.

Prosecutor Carlos Bahamondes highlighted the scale of the investigations conducted and the interagency collaboration to clarify the facts. "It is noteworthy that this is the first formal charge in the region for a fire of electrical origin."

The hearing at the Paillaco Guarantee Court concluded with the imposition of a national confinement order on the accused and an ongoing investigation period.

Among the most affected properties is one belonging to Forestal Arauco S.A., which suffered damages valued at over four million dollars. This incident not only represents a significant economic loss but also a severe blow to the local ecosystem and the region's biodiversity.

The Paillaco community and local authorities hope the investigation will shed light on the causes and responsibilities of the fire and that measures will be taken to prevent future disasters. Meanwhile, the former maintenance chief faces justice, and the Los Ríos region slowly recovers from one of the most serious environmental catastrophes in its recent history.