The forest fire that has affected the communes of Penco and Tomé since last March 1 continues. From the National Emergency Office (Onemi) they decreed a Red Alert for the area.
“According to the information provided by the National Forestry Corporation (CONAF), it is indicated that the forest fire called “Los Coihues II” remains active, which consumes an area to be confirmed of 550 hectares of vegetation in the commune of Penco and with projection of jump to the commune of Tomé”, indicates the entity.
The incident threatens to approach the homes of the San José sector, Penco commune, and La Cantera, Tomé commune, for which the decision was made to evacuate the residents of the area.
Instead, 6 brigades, 2 technicians, 3 helicopters and 3 planes from CONAF are working; 33 Fire Department units from San Pedro de la Paz, Hualpén, Concepción, Santa Juana, Hualqui, Talcahuano, Chiguayante, Lota, Tomé and Penco; 6 helicopters and 6 brigades from the Arauco company; municipal personnel from both communes with the support of 3 cistern trucks, in addition to another 3 municipal cistern trucks from the Talcahuano and Concepción communes; and 3 cistern trucks from the ESSBIO sanitation company.
The Red Alert will remain in place until fire conditions warrant.
They accuse alleged intentionality
in conversation with Radio Bio Biothe regional director of Conaf, Francis Well, He explained that due to the background information collected, an alleged intentionality in the facts is not ruled out.
“In this same sector, in three days, we have had four fires in aligned, parallel sectors, which suggest an intentionality of these incidents,” said the authority.
“Yesterday I was touring the perimeter with our technicians, we could see a new focus that came out about two kilometers west of the main fire, it is a sector that is against the wind, therefore, there is no way fathoms from the main fire have arrived there, unless it has been lit by third parties,” he added.
In addition, he also pointed out that there are many difficulties in controlling the fire, which is why they are requesting more resources from the national level management.
“The situation looks quite complex (…) Topography, wind and weather conditions that are very difficult to control,” he concluded.
Video via Twitter: @agenciaunochile/ceded
The Hercules C-130 aircraft is operating in #IFLosCoihuesIIwhich affects the communes of #Take and #penco.
➡️It has a discharge capacity of 15,000 L, launching retardant water to delay the advance of fire in support of ground combat work. pic.twitter.com/acm60Xbfz7— forest fires_CONAF (@incendios_CONAF) March 2, 2022
