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Forest Fires: 4 People Arrested for Alleged Responsibility in Different Outbreaks

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Four people have been arrested in recent hours as part of investigations into forest fires recorded in the Valparaíso and Ñuble regions, events that keep authorities on alert due to the risk to inhabited areas and the environmental impact.

In the commune of Santo Domingo, Valparaíso Region, Carabineros arrested a 65-year-old agricultural worker, identified as the alleged person responsible for the forest fire that has consumed nearly 200 hectares in the Bucalemu sector.

According to prosecutor Roberto Depaux, the fire is believed to have started while the accused was performing weed clearing work with a tractor and an unauthorized tool, which upon contact with rocky material generated sparks that ignited the blaze.

The incident occurred around 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, and the detainee was formally charged with the crime of illegal use of fire in the San Antonio Guarantee Court. The court ordered monthly check-ins and a prohibition on leaving the country as precautionary measures, in addition to setting an investigation period of 120 days.

In a second operation, recorded on Wednesday afternoon in the Quilmo Bajo sector, commune of Chillán Viejo, Ñuble Region, three people were arrested accused of causing another forest fire. According to preliminary information, the accused were performing work using a welder and a metal cutter, tools that allegedly generated sparks, giving rise to the fire.

This latest episode forced authorities to declare a Red Alert in the commune, due to the fire's proximity to inhabited areas.

Under the instruction of the Public Prosecutor's Office, Carabineros and the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf) are carrying out procedures to precisely establish the dynamics of both events and quantify the damage caused.

Authorities reiterated the call to strictly respect current regulations, especially during periods of high temperatures, reminding that the negligent use of machinery and tools can lead to serious consequences for both people and the environment.