The Plaza Sur fire in Parque San Carlos de Apoquindo, Las Condes, has grown to 800 hectares and remains active under a yellow alert, as investigators probe discarded cigarette butts. Following an initial rescue of a hiker earlier reported, authorities have bolstered containment with brigades, aircraft, and military support amid a historic heatwave.
Originally starting Monday afternoon, December 29, 2025, the Plaza Sur fire in Las Condes' precordilleran sector has expanded from 470 to a preliminary 800 hectares, with some flanks contained but the blaze ongoing. Conaf reports 15 active forest fires nationwide, this the only one under alert. On-site efforts include 8 Conaf technicians, 6 brigades, 3 helicopters, 2 tanker planes, a coordination plane, a fire truck, heavy machinery, two firefighter companies, and an Army Forest Fire Reinforcement Brigade (Brife).
The Asociación de Municipalidades Parque Cordillera discovered cigarette butts during Monday works by an external company, now under PDI investigation. Confirmation could lead to a criminal complaint over risks to people, wildlife, and environment. Brigades focused Tuesday on the southern sector to protect quebrada de Ramón and Aguas de Ramón park, with the north controlled. All ten association-managed parks are closed as precaution.
As earlier reported, Carabineros rescued a 20-year-old hiker trapped by flames using a helicopter hoist. Amid Chile's worst heatwave, Governor Claudio Orrego warned of up to 37°C through January 2 in the Metropolitan Region, urging avoidance of fire-starting activities.
