Chile declares ‘Santa Ana’ forest fire in Biobío under control
28 February 2023
Published by: https://www.telesurenglish.net
CHILE – According to the agency, the “Santa Ana” fire started on February 2 and swept through an area of 74 101 hectares, making it the second-largest fire in the country’s history. It left 19 dead in the Biobío region.
The tweet reads, CONAF informs! Santa Ana, Nacimiento, which began on February 2 and which devastated 74,101 hectares, is CONTAINED. After overflight over sectors 1 to 6 only “hot spots” are observed within the burned area.
The fire damaged 75 percent of the Nacimiento area, 70 percent of Santa Juana, more than 11 000 hectares in Coronel and part of Angol in the Araucanía Region.
“There is still activity and there may be reactivations within the perimeter of the fire, but its entire perimeter is controlled by firebreaks and, therefore, it should not go any further,” said Biobío presidential delegate Daniela Dresdner.
Biobío, La Araucanía and Ñuble have been the regions most affected by the multiple forest fires registered in the country since the beginning of this month. The fires have left more than 458 000 hectares lost, 25 people dead and 7 588 people affected.
According to the Chief of Defense of Biobío, Rear Admiral Jorge Keitel, there are currently 10 fires in combat in the area, in the Ruta de la Madera. Chile’s National Emergency Prevention Service (Senapred), said this Monday there are still 207 active forest fires.