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Director of Senapred in La Araucanía Resigns Amid Forest Fires

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In an unexpected turn during one of the worst forest fire crises in La Araucanía, Alejandro Pliscoff submitted his resignation as regional director of the National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (Senapred).

The news was confirmed by presidential delegate Eduardo Abdala during an emergency meeting called to address the situation of the fires currently ravaging the region.

Pliscoff's resignation comes amid a state of emergency, with 13 active fires that have devastated vast areas of the region. Although the specific details behind his decision have not been revealed, his departure occurs amid controversy over the authorization of controlled burns prior to the more severe fires that began last Sunday.

Pliscoff, who led Senapred in La Araucanía for less than two months, has been recognized for his professionalism by authorities, despite the abrupt resignation. Meanwhile, the region faces a critical situation, and the government has confirmed a meeting with the regional prosecutor to investigate the possible intentionality behind the fires.

Parallel to the leadership crisis at Senapred, Carabineros has reported the arrest of five individuals in connection with the start of the fires. According to General Patricio Yáñez, head of the Ninth Zone, some detainees failed to notify the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf) before conducting stubble burns, while others are directly implicated in the fires. The intentionality of these acts is being investigated by the Public Prosecutor's Office.

The community of La Araucanía and authorities remain on high alert as efforts continue to control the fires and investigate the causes behind this environmental catastrophe.