During this afternoon a forest fire has been registered in the commune of Penco, Bío Bío region, affecting an area of 20 hectares of natural vegetation so far.
Given this, the National Emergency Office (Onemi) decreed a Red Alert for the entire sector due to the incident known as “Coihues” due to its proximity to homes in the area.
The mayor of Penco, Victor Hugo Figueroapointed out that “fortunately we have had a lot of air and ground support.”
The mayor, in conversation with Radio BioBio He said that there are 14 fire trucks fighting the flames, to prevent it from reaching nearby homes.
“With the direction of the fire, the sector that could be most affected is the El Villorrio sector, but fortunately the direction of the wind now makes the fire go towards the El Durazno sector; it kind of changed the direction of the fire and now it is going to another sector that is less inhabited,” he added.
In addition, he stated that “we have received support from the Talcahuano and Concepción Fire Departments (…) In addition, there are helicopters and planes working on the scene. Despite the severity of the fire, we have had good support.”
The communal chief explained that they are coordinating the work with Carabineros, if the time comes to evacuate nearby homes. In turn, he assured that the Essbio water company will support the work with two cistern trucks with large amounts of water.
The Onemi confirmed that the Red Alert is maintained until the conditions of the fire warrant it.
Update #IFCoihues,#penco,#Biobio
Active in all its sectors with medium to high intensity and spread.
Preliminary area➡️20 ha. natural vegetation.
? Red Alert.➡️2 technicians, 15 brigades, 3 cistern, 8 planes, 1 FireBoss, 1 helicopter, 1 Kamov, 1 Blackhawk. pic.twitter.com/G4H37ji7bJ
— forest fires_CONAF (@incendios_CONAF) February 28, 2022
Video via Twitter: @claudiacruzmor3
