MEXICO CITY, Jan 23 (NNN-TELESUR) — Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs (SRE) announced the deployment of 145 firefighters from the National Forestry Commission (Conafor) to combat recent wildfires in the south of Chile.
The firefighters arrived in Concepcion City following instructions from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who reaffirmed Mexico’s solidarity with Chile. Later, President Gabriel Boric thanked the Mexican leader for her cooperation.
The mission was organized by Conafor in conjunction with the Secretaries of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat), Defense, and the National Center for Disaster Prevention, in support of the Chilean emergency.
Sheinbaum had announced on Monday that Mexico would send aid in response to the fires in the Ñuble and Biobio regions, which have left 21 dead, more than 20,000 people affected, 817 homes destroyed, and 40,000 hectares burned.
Conafor emphasized that the firefighters are trained and experienced to support firefighting and control efforts, therefore protecting human lives, property, and ecosystems in Chilean territory.
The Commission stated that this act of solidarity “strengthens regional cooperation” in the face of forest emergencies and reaffirms the bonds of friendship between Mexico and Chile.
Close coordination between Mexico’s Conafor and Chile’s National Forestry Corporation (Conaf) will allow for the definition of logistical and operational aspects of the deployment under international fire management mechanisms.
As emergency services remain on high alert across southern Chile, Conaf reported 11 large-scale fires under unfavorable nighttime conditions. The wildfires began over the weekend and prompted Boric to declare a State of Catastrophe in Ñuble and Biobio.
President Boric and his successor, Jose Antonio Kast, who will take office on March 11, traveled to the affected areas, demonstrating commitment to the emergency response and future reconstruction efforts. — NNN-TELESUR