CONAF trained over 100 military personnel from Arica in wildfire prevention and control
Over 100 military personnel from the First Armored Brigade "Coraceros" of Arica and the Motorized Brigade No. 24 "Huamachuco," based in Putre, who are part of the Chilean Army's Wildfire Reinforcement Brigade, Brife; were trained by the National Forestry Corporation, CONAF, of Arica and Parinacota to strengthen their actions in wildfire prevention and control.
The theoretical and practical session; which included handling tools, controlling fire lines, evacuation and personal safety in risk zones, use of protective equipment, and techniques for manual firefighting; was conducted by the Wildfire Prevention and Control Unit, Uprif, and taught by Mauricio Gómez González, a professional from the Training and Development Section of the Dept. of Wildfire Prevention, Deprif, in the Los Ríos region.
"The C-115 course helps strengthen the knowledge of the Brife to confront wildfires, turning them into key assets to protect lives, ecosystems, and forest heritage during the most critical seasons, such as the warm and dry months from November to March, when there is a higher occurrence of wildfires due to agricultural burns in rural and foothill areas of our Region," explained Lino Antezana Navarro, regional director of CONAF.
Furthermore, the regional authority highlighted the Brife "as an example of collaboration between public institutions to address environmental challenges, reinforcing the protection of forests, communities, and biodiversity."
FOREST BRIGADE
Additionally, Lino Antezana called on all interested men and women to join the "Queñoa 2" Forest Brigade by submitting their backgrounds for the various positions that will open for the 2025-2026 season.
"We are starting the application and selection process for the Forest Brigade for the 2025-2026 season. Unlike previous years, these hires will be annual, so we expect a large number of interested individuals, who must apply and pass the theoretical, physical, and psychological tests that CONAF requires of all its forest brigade members," emphasized Antezana.
In the first stage, applications for Brigade Chief will be accepted until October 17, and subsequently, between October 20 and 30, the process will open for brigade members and other positions. Interested individuals should send their backgrounds to the email aricayparinacota.oirs@conaf.cl or call the phone number 58 2 201 222 for inquiries.
