With the presence of 21 members of the Peumo Brigade of the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf) , regional authorities, firefighters, and Codelco Division El Teniente, organizer of the event, the Day of the Forestry Brigade was commemorated at the Coya Country Club and the work they do to prevent disasters in the O'Higgins region was recognized.

The Sustainability and External Affairs Manager of El Teniente, Germán Sandoval, explained that “with this activity we want to highlight the joint work. As a team we are generating better control and prevention against this important scourge that hits us, which are forest fires. And thanks to this joint work we have managed to prevent a significant number of events in the region.”

“As a Division, we have a very important and extensive territory with rich biodiversity, with lots of fauna and flora, and taking care of it is fundamental for our environmental and social performance, which is part of the triple value (economic, environmental and social) that El Teniente promotes,” added Sandoval.

Oscar Galdames, regional director of Conaf, recalled that “for us this day is complex due to the situation that has occurred in the Valparaíso Region, where there were 131 fatalities. Therefore, we commemorate it with due restraint and recognizing the work of our forestry brigades who carry out a truly extraordinary task to safeguard vegetation, homes and human lives.”

Teamwork

For the Seremi of Agriculture of O'Higgins, Cristian Silva, "in the region we have reacted well thanks to the experience in fighting fires, but also due to the collaboration of different actors, such as Codelco. This year, more than ever, we have received support from El Teniente to provide early assistance to farmers who have been affected in the region."

Also present were the regional ministers for Mining, Bárbara Gavia; Claudio Martínez, from Energy in O'Higgins; and Carlos Hunt, from Energy in the Metropolitan Region.

Marcelo Montesinos, regional director of the National Prevention and Response Service (SENAPRED), said that “collaborative work among the different institutions is essential to be efficient and coordinated in fighting forest fires. And we have achieved this with more resources, better preparation, more aircraft, more forest firefighters and excellent training.”

The voice of the honorees

As head of the Peumo 21 Brigade of Conaf, which is based at Codelco facilities in Coya, Claudio Valenzuela, stressed that the tribute is “a nice recognition for the people who work fighting fires. Perhaps you have seen us on television, captured on a hill trying to put out fires, but here you see us now as we are on a daily basis. I am in charge of 21 young men and I see the effort they make and the pleasure for a job that, although very dangerous, they do with enthusiasm.”

Hugo Moreno, a 22-year-old from Rancagua who has been a firefighter for three seasons, said that “the main requirements to be here are to have the courage to enter a place that is on fire and at the same time the resilience to overcome the problems that arise in unknown terrain.”

In his fifth year as a forestry brigade member, Diego Contreras, from Machalí, talked about the importance of the work they do for “the protection of flora and fauna, people, animals, native species and national reserves. It is a source of pride. In addition, I am following the path of my father, who was also a brigade member.”

Daniela Espinoza, a resident of Coya and in her second season with the Peumo Brigade, highlighted “the love that you develop for this job to help people and our flora and fauna. It is a very important role that we play.”

Agreement with CONAF for 34 years

The constant increase in temperatures in summer is a reality year after year and in this scenario, El Teniente together with Conaf work on the ground to prevent and confront forest fires that may occur in the summer season.

To this end, both institutions have maintained a collaboration agreement for 34 years with contributions for the installation of the Peumo 12 brigades , located at the Coya Country Club; and Roble 11, at the Hacienda Loncha de Alhué.

To combat the fires, the copper company provides support with helicopters, ground detection towers and thermal cameras , among other logistical elements for the action.