News

Forest fires in Ñuble have increased by 29% compared to 2024

Sponsors

A complex season is what Ñuble will experience during the coming months in relation to high temperatures and the water deficit. Although it was assured that the region will have water for human consumption during this period, the concern centers on the three factors that can generate various emergencies related to forest fires: low humidity, strong winds, and extreme temperatures.

This was anticipated by the central government at the start of the firefighting season at the end of October, where it was explained that this summer, in particular, will be extremely adverse, based on heat predictions for much of the central and southern zone of Chile.

That is why, to anticipate coordination and improve response time, the National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (Senapred) declared last Sunday a Preventive Early Alert for extreme heat for the Ñuble Region and the rest of the country, from Arica and Parinacota to Los Lagos, a measure that will be in effect until March 31, 2026.

The regional director of Conaf Ñuble, Juan Salvador Ramírez, explained that this national declaration aligns with the technical forecasts prepared by the corporation and the Chilean Meteorological Directorate.

"The preventive early alert for high temperatures fully coincides with what our technical team and the Meteorological Directorate have projected. An extremely complex summer is approaching, with high temperatures, strong winds, and low humidity," stated Ramírez.

The director maintained that in Ñuble "this is not something out of the ordinary, but what is abnormal is that fires are caused by human action. Most incidents are caused by negligent or irresponsible actions."

Fires to date

Although it is not yet the "peak season" for forest fires, according to Conaf figures, from last July 2nd to date, 31 incidents have been recorded in Ñuble, with an affected area of 25.2 hectares. This represents a 19% increase in occurrences compared to 2024, when there were 26 fires in the same period. Despite the increase, over the last five years this figure has decreased by 20%.

In that vein, the director added that meetings are already being held in all the communes of Ñuble to face this new season.

"We are touring the 21 communes, participating in the emergency operational committees together with Senapred and other authorities, presenting the National Plan for the Prevention, Mitigation, and Control of Fires adapted to Ñuble," he emphasized.

"This effort has yielded concrete results: in the last five years, fires have decreased by 11% and the affected area has dropped by 60%. Over 75% of fires in Ñuble have a human origin. Therefore, the message is clear: remain in prevention mode and take care of our environment, because joint effort is key to protecting the region," concluded the director.

Source:La Discusión