The emergency for forest fires in Chile keeps the authorities and the population on high alertespecially in the central-southern area of the country. The advance of the fire, the high number of fatalities and the thousands of victims have forced the adoption of exceptional measures to ensure security, including the implementation of curfews in strategic communes. The Biobío region currently concentrates the most severe restrictions, in a context marked by evacuations, suspension of activities and a wide deployment of emergency forces.
As confirmed by the National Defense Headquarters (Jedena) of Biobío, led by Rear Admiral Edgardo Acevedo, the curfew has been in effect since Sunday night as part of the plan to reinforce territorial control and facilitate the combat of fires forestry, that have already consumed more than 35 thousand hectares between Biobío and Ñuble.
In which communes of Biobío does the curfew apply?
The movement restriction measure is specifically applied in the communes of PencoNacimiento and Laja, where the curfew is in force between 8:00 p.m. on Sunday and 6:00 a.m. on Monday. In these areas, the circulation of people and vehicles is completely prohibited during established hours, except for authorized personnel.
Furthermore, in the town of Lirquénbelonging to the commune of Penco, A total curfew was decreed that began at 7:00 p.m. and remains in place until further notice. given the direct proximity to active outbreaks and the risk to the population.
Who can circulate and how to request safe passage?
During curfew, sOnly those who perform essential functions linked to the emergency can travel. Among them are Firefighters, Conaf, Senapred, health personnel, Legal Medical Service, police, Armed Forces and municipal or regional officials, in addition to other public or private services directly involved in fire control and community protection.
People who, for justified reasons, need to move during restricted hours can request a safe conduct pass at any police station, which will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the corresponding authority.
The situation remains critical. Senapred has ordered evacuations through SAE messaging in sectors of Concepción and Laja, while Conaf reported that The Biobío region leads the impact with 25,541 hectares burned, followed by Ñuble with more than 4,300 hectares alone in the Perales Biobío fire, in Ránquil.
Added to this is a preliminary balance of 19 people dead, more than 320 homes destroyed and nearly 20 thousand customers without electricity supply in different communes of Greater Concepción. The magnitude of the tragedy has also caused the suspension of massive events, such as the Mr. Bungle concert in Concepción and the traditional San Sebastián festival in Yumbel.
