The National Forestry Corporation (Conaf) announced the closure of seven national parks due to the risk of forest fires caused by the heat wave that affects the central and south-central zone of the country, from the Valparaíso region to Los Ríos.
The executive director of Conaf, Christian Little, explained that the situation is part of the measures called “Red Button” and the risk is caused by climate change, which generates high temperatures and dryness with the consequent alert for forest fires.
The Minister of Agriculture, Esteban Valenzuela, pointed out that “we are in a very complex triangle that is heat waves, Puelche wind (dry and hot) and there is a wave of irresponsibility or harmful omission of many people, for this reason they have forced us to take extreme measures.”
In addition, he reported that Conaf’s contingency plan plans to send 77 brigade members and more than 19 technicians to the regions between Maule and Araucanía.
Added to this is the announcement by the Undersecretary of the Interior, Manuel Monsalve, about sending part of the 63 firefighting aircraft to the south-central zone of the country.
In detail, the affected parks are:
Metropolitan region
Bio bio region
Araucania region
- Malleco
- Tolhuaca
- contulmo
Ñuble Region
Aisén Region
Monsalve called for self-care, as he explained that “avoid going out between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., hopefully wear light, light-colored clothing, hopefully wear a jockey or hat, hopefully use sunscreen and drink plenty of water to protect your Health”.
