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Aerial Firefighting Reinforcement: 10 Aircraft Ready for Action in Valparaíso
The 2025-2026 season is anticipated to be challenging for the region in terms of wildfires, with forecasts predicting warmer and drier conditions than usual. In response, the regional presidential delegate of Valparaíso, Yanino Riquelme, and the regional director of the National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (Senapred), Christian Cardemil, led the first session of the Regional Committee for Disaster Risk Management, focusing on the prevention and mitigation of wildfires.
During the meeting, actions were coordinated among various public services to optimize work, investments, and equipment. Mauricio Núñez, Regional Director of Conaf, detailed the situation: "A fairly warm and dry season is projected… with a peak from November to January… Both factors are quite complicated. Therefore, it is projected that we will have a period of high danger from September to February."
The presidential delegate highlighted the importance of inter-institutional coordination and improved preparation, reflected in the reduction of hectares burned in the previous season. For his part, Cardemil emphasized the need for citizen commitment to prevention, urging the preparation of emergency kits and education on the topic.
Conaf is intensively preparing for the season, starting with 13 forest brigades in September and scaling up to 33 by December. Additionally, 10 aircraft will be available, including 6 planes and 4 helicopters, 12 water tanker trucks, 3 skidder vehicles, and 3 command posts. Patricio Balladares, regional head of Conaf's Department of Forest Fire Protection, invited interested individuals to apply through the institution's website.
Finally, the community was reminded of the prohibition on the use of fire for activities such as agricultural burning starting September 13, in order to protect ecosystems and prevent wildfires caused by illegal practices.
