Chilean authorities declare red alert for forest fires

Published at: 07/02/2025 10:41 PM

Given the rise in temperatures, which are expected to reach 40 degrees over the weekend, Chilean authorities declared a red alert from the region of Valparaíso to La Araucanía, the Telesur website reported.

It points out that zero work will be implemented, which will suspend agricultural and forestry activities, as well as the closure of national parks, in an effort to mitigate risks in February.

In addition, low humidity levels and strong gusts of wind are anticipated, conditions that favor the spread of fire, so similar critical climatic conditions resulting from the fires in Chile were the focus of a meeting of the National Committee for Disaster Risk Management (COGRID) at the headquarters of the National Disaster Prevention and Response Service.

The meeting was attended by Chile's Minister of the Interior and Public Security, Carolina Toha, together with the national director of the National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (Senapred), Alicia Cebrián.

The objective of the meeting was to address actions to prepare for the increase in temperatures and climatic conditions favorable to forest fires in the south-central area of the country.

The meeting was attended by several ministers, including those of Finance, Health, Defense and Social Development, as well as other senior officials.

During the session, agreements were reached and key definitions were established to address the conditions that are expected for the coming days. According to Minister Tojá, work was carried out on this preventive state of emergency for several months.

A meteorologist from the General Civil Aeronautical Directorate explained that the current high pressure phenomenon, which overlaps typical summer conditions, could cause a significant increase in temperatures.

Fire risks are expected in 106 communes this Saturday, 82 on Sunday, and 53 on Monday, between the regions of Valparaíso and the northern part of Araucanía.

For this reason, the Red Button was decreed, which will allow the deployment of patrols by police officers and a military presence in areas under a state of emergency. The authorities called on citizens to be alert to possible intentionally caused fires.

Both a day and night surveillance system will be established, and recommendations were provided for these days of extreme heat, such as staying hydrated, using sunscreen and protecting the most vulnerable people.

Mazo News Team