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New "Lingue 3" Brigade Reinforces Firefighting Efforts in Los Ríos

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The Los Ríos region takes a step forward in wildfire prevention and combat with the inauguration of the new "Lingue 3" forest brigade. The regional government and the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf) Los Ríos presented the infrastructure in the Ciruelos sector, San José de la Mariquina commune, replacing the old facilities which had already been in service for over three decades.

The manager of forest fire protection at Conaf, Andrés Benedettó, highlighted that the new base is part of a continuous effort to provide better conditions for the brigades, allowing them to rest and recover between firefighting shifts. The initiative seeks not only to improve the well-being of the brigade members but also to increase safety and effectiveness in combating fires.

The modern infrastructure, covering an area of 227.71 square meters, includes dormitories, a kitchen, dining room, first aid room, and an office for the brigade chief, meeting modern standards of operability and comfort. The land was granted on loan by the Mariquina Municipality, and the investment of $223,164,041 came from the National Regional Development Fund (FNDR), with an additional contribution from Conaf of $19,700,000 for finishing work and administrative expenses.

The Regional Ministerial Secretary (Seremi) of Agriculture, Jorge Sánchez, thanked the regional government and the governor for the push in prevention and infrastructure, and highlighted the coordination between Conaf, firefighters, and Senapred, which has resulted in more efficient response times.

The regional governor of Los Ríos, Luis Cuvertino, valued the inter-institutional collaboration and emphasized that the improvement of the "Lingue 3" base aims to increase safety in the territory and protect the brigade members. The strategic location of the brigade allows for quick access for deployments in the region, crucial for a commune that is among the four with the highest incidence of wildfires.

The mayor of Mariquina, Rolando Mitre, celebrated the new infrastructure as worthy for those who risk their lives protecting forests and communities, and highlighted the strengthening of safety and prevention throughout the region.

The replacement of the "Lingue 3" forest brigade is a clear example of how investment in infrastructure and cooperation between different governmental and emergency entities can significantly improve natural disaster management and community safety.