"3% of forest fires have a natural origin": Conaf's Director and the work ahead of a new fire season

A key step for the reforestation of Biobío was taken last week by Conaf together with Gore Biobío, though with an eye on preventing forest fires.

And what happened in the summer in Penco and Tomé is something that generates concern at Conaf, and they do not want it to be repeated in the short term.

In that regard, in a conversation with SABES, Conaf's national director, Aida Baldini, indicated that the corporation is already working on the upcoming forest fire season.

"We are working on forest fire prevention ahead of the next season; there must be great awareness among the population of Biobío that there is a lot of biomass. As a result of this, we achieved a decree that allows reducing biomass in a period when burning was not permitted, as long as ventilation conditions allow it," she stated.

Baldini explained that one of the measures taken this year is the application of technical fire in areas with abundant biomass, and "it is an arduous task carried out between the ministries of Agriculture, Interior, and Environment; authorization for these burns was achieved, and it is a tool that the country needs."

Conaf and forest fire prevention in Biobío

At Conaf, they are already working on the next forest fire season, although there is also a long-term outlook.

In that regard, director Aida Baldini confirmed that "going from a private law corporation to a forest service is not so simple. We already have a package of laws prepared, and forest promotion is essential for the forestry sector and the environmental area of our country."

Furthermore, "we are working on the Forest Fire Law, to which indications will be made, including the integration of points linked to prevention. Conaf knows the origin of forest fires; 3% is due to natural causes. The Red Button allows us to deploy resources in advance, and with this law, we are prohibiting threshing, since that is also a factor that generates fires."

Conaf and the Forest Promotion Law

It is expected that during the month of August, the Ministry of Agriculture will present a new Forest Promotion Law and thus update the outdated Decree 701.

Under that scenario, Conaf's director estimated that "forest promotion is essential for the forestry sector and also for the environmental sector, since this project covers both phases and has good reception among stakeholders."

"We will determine the areas to be forested, the promotion, and its oversight. Although we lack personnel, we are integrating new tools such as the satellite, among others," she concluded.

Source:Sabes