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CONAF to Pursue Criminal Charges for Fires in Camarones and General Lagos
A total of 12 hectares of queñoas (Polylepis tarapacana) and 1 hectare of yaretas (Azorella compacta) were destroyed in wildfires that occurred in the municipalities of General Lagos and Camarones over the last two days. The incidents originated from unauthorized agricultural burns that got out of control, causing irreparable losses to native flora protected by Law 20.283 on the Recovery of Native Forests and Forestry Promotion.
In addition to these two fires, a third one occurred, causing the loss of 2 hectares of agricultural land in the Huanta sector of the Lluta Valley in the municipality of Arica, this Monday, September 8.
"In just two days, we had three wildfires, with a total of 15 hectares burned, 13 of which were native flora, due to the irresponsibility of people who insist on carrying out burns without authorization and without the minimum safety measures," warned the regional director of CONAF in Arica and Parinacota, Lino Antezana Navarro.
The authority emphasized that CONAF will pursue criminal charges against those responsible for these events, which caused severe environmental damage in the Lauca Biosphere Reserve. "We will initiate the corresponding legal actions."
"The regulations are clear: according to Articles 19, 52, and 60 of Law 20.283, the cutting, destruction, or clearing of xerophytic formations or protected native forests constitutes a very serious offense, punishable by fines that can exceed 3 million pesos per affected specimen."
"Likewise, the Penal Code, in its Article 476, establishes that anyone who causes a forest fire may face prison sentences ranging from 541 days to 20 years, depending on the magnitude of the damage and the risk posed to human life and safety. Those found responsible will have to answer to justice, without exception," he emphasized.
Antezana also reported that professionals from the Department of Environmental Oversight and Evaluation will conduct drone inspections in the affected areas to gather evidence and initiate the respective judicial processes. Simultaneously, teams from the Wildfire Prevention and Control Unit (UPRIF) have been working on-site since Monday.
Therefore, the regional director made an urgent call to the entire regional community to strictly respect current regulations, reminding them that all agricultural burns in the region require prior authorization from CONAF and must comply with specific safety measures. "Those who fail to comply not only endanger our natural heritage but also expose themselves to prison sentences and heavy fines," the official emphasized.
Finally, the regional CONAF authority announced that between Wednesday, September 17, and Sunday, September 21, no burn notices will be issued, and any type of agricultural or forestry burning is strictly prohibited in the Region.
