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Chilean Firefighters to Support Wildfire Battle in Canada

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In an act of solidarity and international cooperation, ten firefighters from the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf) of the Biobío Region departed for the province of Alberta, Canada, to face one of the most devastating wildfire seasons the North American country has ever seen.

This deployment is part of a cooperation agreement between Chile and Canada and highlights the importance of global collaboration in natural disaster management.

The Biobío firefighters, part of a contingent of 62 Chilean specialists, will dedicate 32 days to battling the flames that have consumed over 5.1 million hectares and forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of people. The situation in Canada is critical, with more than 3,000 active fires requiring a coordinated international response.

The regional director of Conaf Biobío, Esteban Krause, emphasized the mission's importance and the honor it represents for the region. "Our firefighters proudly represent the Biobío Region in a highly significant international mission. They were selected for their experience, commitment, and technical preparation," stated Krause, who also wished the specialists success and a safe return.

This is not Conaf's first support mission to Canada, as a similar operation took place in February 2023, initiating a structured collaboration that was formalized with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in November 2024. This agreement, signed between Chile's Ministry of Agriculture and Canada's Ministry of Natural Resources, has been crucial in establishing a framework for mutual assistance during emergencies.

The participation of Chilean firefighters in Canada not only reinforces the Biobío Region's commitment to international cooperation but also showcases the high level of training and service spirit of its personnel in combating wildfires—a challenge that transcends borders and requires united global efforts.