Forestry engineers warn of damage caused to native forests by fires

SANTIAGO. -  In light of the many recent forest fires that have been reported in central and southern Chile, the Association of Forestry Engineers for Native Forests (AIFBN) has expressed concern over the impact the blazes may be having on the environment, causing problems such as soil erosion and the deterioration of native forests.

The coordinator of the organization, Jennifer Romero, stated that “the quantity of forest fires is alarming because the great majority is intentional; they continue year after year and they are a historic cause, among others, of the deterioration of native forests”.

Romero stressed that forest fires have several consequences including air and water pollution due to the erosion of sediment and the disappearance of flora and fauna.

“Negligent and even intentional behavior on the part of humans accounts for a large part of these fires despite the fact that organizations such as CONAF have set up widespread awareness campaigns to prevent them”, stated Romero.