The National Emergency Office (Onemi) declared a Red Alert for the communes of Quilpué and La Cruz, Valparaíso region; and La Estrella, O’Higgins region, as a result of a series of forest fires registered in the vicinity of inhabited places.
In Quilpué, the incident took place at Hacienda Las Palmas, starting at about 3:00 p.m. and so far it has affected an area of 40 hectares. From now on, the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf) warned about its rapid progress.
Onemi maintained that “in consideration of this background, the Regional Presidential Delegation of Valparaíso, based on technical information from Conaf and in coordination with the Onemi Regional Directorate, declares a Red Alert for the Quilpué commune, due to a forest fire, in force since today and until the conditions of the fire warrant it”.
Three brigades and two Conaf planes are already working in the place, added to the support of Firefighters, Carabineros and municipal personnel who came to support with four tank trucks.
“With this declaration of Red Alert, all necessary and available resources will be mobilized, in additional support to what has already been deployed by Conaf, Firefighters and the National System for Disaster Prevention and Response,” Onemi added.
The mayoress of Quilpué, Valeria Melipillán, affirmed that municipal teams “support firefighters, Conaf, and emergency units in a forest fire declared in the Las Palmas farm, a commune on Red Alert and call for prevention due to high temperatures forecast for the next few days “.
Meanwhile, the incident in the O’Higgins region affects the El Pihuelo sector, La Estrella commune, and the authorities warn that the fire presents medium to high activity, showing rapid progress and close to inhabited places.
4 technicians, 6 brigades, 3 helicopters and a Conaf plane are working at the site with the support of La Estrella, San Pedro and Las Cabras firefighters.
In La Cruz, the incident has consumed 15 hectares and is projected to threaten neighboring homes, so Conaf and Firefighters are working in the sector to mitigate the flames.
On the other hand, Onemi canceled the Red Alert in the commune of La Estrella.
“In consideration of this background, the O’Higgins Regional Presidential Delegation, based on the technical information from Conaf and in coordination with the Onemi Regional Directorate, cancels the Red Alert for the La Estrella commune due to a forest fire, which is Valid from today November 21.
Credit: Agency One
