Provincial Presidential Delegation of Biobío recognizes CMPC for its work combatting rural fires in Chile

The paper company was distinguished during the public account of the regional government body for the significant fire-fighting work it carried out in February during the emergency. Local mayors also acknowledged CMPC and highlighted the company’s support.

Under the framework of the annual public account ceremony of the Provincial Presidential Delegation of Biobío in Chile, CMPC was recognized for all of its work carried out in support of the forest fire emergencies during the summer and the floods last June in south-central Chile. Various regional authorities such as parliamentarians, Seremis [Ministerial Regional Secretaries] and mayors, in addition to the Provincial Presidential Delegate, Paulina Purrán were in attendance.

The honor was given by the Provincial Presidential Delegate to CMPC Central Properties Deputy Manager Carlos Rodríguez and Head of CMPC Community Relations and Mulchén District Properties Karin Pacheco. “Receiving this honor is very important to us. We were the only private company to receive this award, making us a benchmark in the Province of Biobío. We are very proud of this, which tells us that we’re on the right track in terms of our service in southern Chile,” said Rodríguez.

Discussing the distinction, the CMPC Central Properties Deputy Manager said, “They called attention to our efforts during the emergencies, the summer fires and the recent winter floods. They reiterated that we are always available and immediately respond to the communities with our substantial capability for coordinating with authorities, reinforcing public-private partnerships as well as the work we do once the emergencies are over.”

“We find this honor to be truly motivational. It incentivizes us to keep joining forces with the community and local authorities to be a change agent in our neighbors’ development,” said Carlos Rodríguez.

Notably, according to figures reported by the Ministry of Agriculture and CONAF, the forest fire season that lasted until the end of May in Chile left more than 431,000 hectares destroyed by flames throughout the country. Almost 70% of this total was in the Biobío and La Araucanía Regions of Chile. In addition, according to Senapred [National Disaster Prevention and Response Service], the frontal system in June left more than 13,000 victims and almost 1,500 homes destroyed by the overflowing rivers, floods and landslides as a result of the rains.

CMPC emergency plans in action

The company resources deployed this past fire season included 24 aircraft, 1,220 heliports and GPS helipads, 32 landing and water loading strips, 441 water sources for helicopter loading and 64 aircraft loading pools. A total of 108 ground fire-fighting brigades, 12 tanker brigades and 8 mechanized brigades specialized in building firewalls also joined the fight. Overall, more than 1,200 firefighters on the ground worked to put out the flames.

Additionally, CMPC announced a robust reactivation plan focused on the most affected areas that is currently underway. This involves the creation of the largest biological corridor in the country; a “green highway” more than 100 kilometers in length that will help diversify and protect the native flora and fauna that was harmed by the fires. Also, the CMPC Rebuilds initiative is providing support to families and farmers affected by the disasters through a range of support actions. These include repairing the drinking water supply system, architectural reconstruction, economic reactivation and restoration of soils affected by the flames.

Furthermore, together with the Agricultural Society of Bíobío (Socabio), the company is implementing a rural reconstruction and reactivation plan for farmers who lost everything in these catastrophes. In total, 300 beneficiary families are getting help to cover different needs. The plan includes the restoration of hectares of field or cropland, donated greenhouses complete with vegetable seeds and fertilizers, new storage units built to hold supplies and tools, new chicken coops as well as several species of plants, including pines, eucalyptus and native trees.

Concerning the frontal system in June, CMPC was deployed in the Regions of Maule, Ñuble and Biobío to go to the aid of the most affected people. Numerous emergency kits were given out that included basic supplies, food and clothing. Multiple works were carried out using heavy machinery, including river channeling, road clearing, debris cleaning, and more.