The National Emergency Office (Onemi) carried out an assessment of the forest fires that are registered in the Valparaíso Region.
According to the information provided by the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf), the forest fire in the Nueva Esperanza sector of Viña del Mar is still being fought, where the flames have already consumed 111 hectares.
Regarding the affectation resulting from this fire, the community teams remain on the ground evaluating the affectation to people and the damage to homes in the sector, for which the information can be updated during the day. Until the closing of this note, two deaths, 67 injured, 42 sheltered and 270 damaged homes have been reported.
“The level of damage to these houses will be confirmed when the lifting of the Basic Emergency Files (FIBE) ends,” said Onemi.
Regarding basic services, it is reported that the supply is restored in the Viña del Mar commune.
In relation to connectivity, the Route 60 CH variant Agua Santa, up to Álvarez street, this is with its vehicular traffic restored for all types of vehicles.
In consideration of this background, the Valparaíso Regional Presidential Delegation, based on technical information from Conaf and in coordination with the ONEMI Regional Directorate, maintains the Red Alert for the Viña del Mar commune due to forest fire, which is currently in force. since December 22.
Yesterday, December 23, President Gabriel Boric visited the place together with the Ministers of the Interior, Agriculture and Social Development and Family; the Regional Presidential Delegate: Mayor of Viña del Mar; and the Onemi Valparaíso team led by the Regional Director.
According to Supreme Decree 367, a State of Constitutional Exception of Catastrophe due to Public Calamity was declared for the commune of Viña del Mar.
During December 22, 4 SAE messages were sent to reinforce the evacuation of the sectors of Tranque Sur, Puerto Montt, Puerto Aysén, Cabritera, Forestal Alto and Camp Felipe Camiroaga.
The municipality of Viña del Mar maintains the Colegio de República del Ecuador, located at Calle Etchervers No. 115, as a collection center. In addition, the municipality maintains the following shelters available:
- Liceo Guillermo Rivera, located at Calle Álvarez N°708, with capacity for 100 people, where 7 are housed.
- Hotel O’Higgins, located in Plaza Sucre, with capacity for 120 people, where 35 people stayed overnight.
Additionally, if required, the following schools are available as shelters: Colegio República de Colombia, located at 10 Norte N°985, with capacity for 100 people; and Benjamín Vicuña Mackenna School, located at Juan José Latorre N°297, with capacity for 100 people.
Since the beginning of this emergency, two National Committees for Disaster Risk Management (COGRID) have been held, chaired by the Undersecretary of the Interior. Similarly, at the regional level, 2 Regional COGRIDs have been convened, headed by the Regional Presidential Delegate of Valparaíso and the Minister of the Interior.
During the early hours of today, Conaf personnel with the support of the Fire Department, worked at night with a brigade, finishing off hot spots and reinforcing containment lines with cutting and scraping tools. Likewise, around 06:40 hours, some outbreaks were detected within the burned area, which are in combat work by the Viña del Mar Fire Department, with no danger of spreading to the Quinta Vergara Amphitheater sector.
For this day, CONAF has arranged the work planning with 1 technician, 1 security officer, 2 helicopters and 1 command post, together with the Viña del Mar Fire Department. Additionally, Onemi maintains the support of 4 helicopters to combat the fire.
Finally, the interregional support efforts of the Fire Department of the Metropolitan Region, personnel of the Chilean Navy (UFAR) and personnel of the Chilean Army (UFE) continue.
Santo Domingo
According to the information provided by the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf), in relation to the forest fire that occurred in the Santo Domingo commune, Onemi reported that the fire at the San Enrique Hacienda that has consumed about 150 hectares is also being fought. .
During the past day, Conaf worked on the construction of control lines, in addition to preventing the advance of the fire with cutting and scraping tools, supported by air resources and water lines from firefighters.
In consideration of this background, the Valparaíso Regional Presidential Delegation, based on the technical information from CONAF and in coordination with the ONEMI Regional Directorate, maintains the Red Alert for the Santo Domingo commune, due to forest fire, which is currently in force. from December 23 and “until the conditions of the fire warrant it.”
During yesterday, December 23, 5 brigades, 1 command post, 2 planes and 4 CONAF helicopters worked; along with Firefighters from Santo Domingo, Cartagena, El Tabo, San Antonio, Algarrobo, Pupuya and Rapel; in addition to 1 cistern truck, 1 fuel truck and Chilean Army personnel; with the support of Carabineros, municipal staff and the Provincial Presidential Delegate of San Antonio.
While during the night 2 CONAF brigades remain in place, along with San Antonio and Algarrobo Firefighters.
On the other hand, a shelter was enabled in the offices of the San Enrique Neighborhood Council, in order to be used if required and to support the work of feeding the personnel working in the fight against the forest fire.