In response to the risk of forest fires due to high temperatures, Codelco División El Teniente together with professionals from the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf) installed firebreaks in the Colonia Escolar de Coya sector, a measure that offers protection to more than 160 families in the Supervisores and Villa Los Cipreses sectors.

The Sustainability and External Affairs Manager of El Teniente, Germán Sandoval, recalled that “the damage that forest fires cause to people and the environment is serious, which is why the Division makes efforts in the area of prevention, also with communication campaigns, educational visits to schools and everything within our reach to prevent the tragedy of a forest fire from affecting the community.”

Ian Moya, territorial inspector of El Teniente, explained that “the firebreak is an effective method to contain the spread of forest fires. Our objective is to provide a direct benefit to the community. In addition, this action contributes to fostering a culture of prevention, constituting an effective way of educating.”

The work, which lasted more than a week, was carried out by fifteen brigade members from Conaf's Peumo 12 Unit, based at Codelco's Coya Country Club.

Claudio Valenzuela, head of the brigade, explained that “we have the experience of this season in the Valparaíso Region, where numerous houses were affected. Our goal is to prevent the fire from reaching the houses. This strategy guarantees that, in the event of an accident, the flames will stop at a certain point and will not endanger people.”

Working together for 34 years

During this season, a 3-meter-wide firebreak was also installed in the Colinas Verdes route sector, on land adjacent to the La Yesca landfill.

The director of the O'Higgins Region of Conaf, Oscar Galdames, stressed that "maintaining firebreaks is very important for the prevention of fires and in the event of a fire, they help prevent major damage to homes or areas that could cause greater damage."

At Hacienda Loncha de El Teniente, located in the commune of Alhué, Metropolitan Region, barriers were installed in the Molybdenum Abatement Plant (PAMo) sector, the Conaf brigade base facilities, and the Alhué eco-farm.

These actions are part of the collaboration agreement between CONAF and the El Teniente Division, signed for the first time 34 years ago. The agreement establishes the commitment of the institutions to provide resources to implement brigades to prevent and combat fires, and surveillance towers that operate within the premises that are within the property of the Division to provide support and coverage in the O'Higgins and Metropolitan regions.