A forest fire that started on Monday in San Pedro de Melipilla has spread to over 1,870 hectares of vegetation, prompting a red alert and preventive evacuations. Five people have been displaced, and three homes destroyed. Authorities have deployed an extensive operation to combat the blaze.
The forest fire named Quilamuta began on Monday in the commune of San Pedro de Melipilla, in the southwestern area of the Metropolitan Region. According to the latest report from the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf), the fire has consumed more than 1,870 hectares of vegetation.
Given the magnitude of the incident, the National Service for Prevention and Response to Disasters (Senapred) declared a communal red alert on Monday, which will remain in place until conditions warrant its lifting. On Tuesday afternoon, Senapred requested preventive evacuations via the SAE messaging system in the sectors of Lo Encañado, Las Canchillas, Las Pataguas, Quilamuta, and Lingo Lingo.
The fire's advance has displaced five people and destroyed three homes.
To contain the blaze and prevent spread to adjacent vegetation, a large-scale operation is underway. Volunteers from fire departments in San Pedro, Melipilla, Curacaví, Ñuñoa, Puente Alto, La Granja, Villa Alhue, Conchalí, Paine, Talagante, Tiltil, Colina, Maipú, Santiago, and Metropolitano Sur are participating.
Resources deployed include 14 technicians, two light helicopters, three tanker aircraft, one coordination aircraft, three medium helicopters, four skidder machines, and six water tank trucks.
