Ñuble has all its fires under control but extreme measures are in place due to new heatwave

The Ñuble Region lifted the Red Alert for simultaneous wildfires, after the most complex fire outbreaks were brought under control. These are the San Lorenzo and Montenegro fires, in the commune of Quillón, and the Perales-Biobío fire, in Ránquil, which concentrated the greatest firefighting efforts during the last few weeks.

The Presidential Delegation of Ñuble confirmed that the fires are under control and that brigades remain on the ground, focused on carrying out surveillance tasks.

With this scenario, the region formally enters the recovery stage. The delivery of early aid began this weekend, with over 600 kits containing food, household cleaning, and personal hygiene items distributed to affected families in the seven most damaged communes.

This was reported by the presidential delegate of Ñuble, Rodrigo García, who stated that emergency housing units are already installed in five communes.

"We expect the process to be completed this week in Portezuelo and Trehuaco. In these two communes, fire control took longer, so the FIBE forms were initiated later," said García.

Regarding the forms, García detailed that "95% of the FIBE forms have been completed, which has allowed progress both in the delivery of emergency kits and in the first housing units. To date, 28 emergency housing units have been installed; some are already being inhabited and others are finishing water and electricity connections."

"Zero Workday" suspended

The Chilean Army also gave an assessment of the work done so far, maintaining an active deployment in the region, focused on debris removal, logistical support, and security, within the framework of the post-fire recovery stage.

In that context, General Carlos Urrutia, head of National Defense in Ñuble, reported that the "Zero Workday" measure was lifted for this Monday and Tuesday.

"This does not mean that the Ministry's recommendations are suspended," added Urrutia, explaining that "starting Wednesday, the zero workday measure will be in effect again, a decision that will be evaluated according to reports from technical agencies."

The measure came into effect last week, forcing the suspension of agricultural and forestry work between 12:00 and 18:00, the peak temperature hours.

New heatwave

But as mentioned by the General, the measure will come into effect again starting this Wednesday, because temperatures will rise up to 36 degrees Celsius in some communes of the region.

"This means we will again face extreme heat throughout the Ñuble Region. This situation requires the collaboration and responsibility of all people," explained the national director of Senapred, Alicia Cebrián, who arrived in Ñuble this Monday.

"State agencies are working, monitoring, and will continue to attend to the emergency. For that, we need to concentrate efforts on recovery and not have to face new emergency situations caused by negligent behavior and, in the most serious cases, intentional acts," stated the authority.

In that sense, she called to "avoid unnecessary exposure to high temperatures. We know it's the summer period, with people on vacation and doing outdoor activities, but it is essential to take care against this extreme heat."

"Above all, the call is to absolutely avoid the use of fire during these days, from Wednesday to Friday. We do not need new fire outbreaks. We have already seen the damage these situations cause, with hundreds of families who have lost everything due to negligent behavior in the use of fire," concluded Cebrián.

According to the meteorological warning issued last Sunday, the synoptic condition corresponds to an upper-level ridge, a phenomenon that will favor a sustained increase in temperatures across much of the south-central zone of the country, including Ñuble.

Source:La Discusión