translated from Spanish: Government warns ‘situation of high complexity’ in Valparaiso and reports that there are two arrested for fire in Curauma

Several fire hotspots are recorded at this time in the Valparaiso region. It is estimated that the fire has already affected 1,800 hectares and the flames have approached residential areas of Placilla and Curauma.
The region is under red alert – decreed a few hours ago by the Onemi – and the pre-emptive evacuation of almost half a hundred homes has been carried out.
In the face of the emergency, the Minister of the Interior, Gonzalo Blumel, together with the undersecretary of the Interior, Rodrigo Ubilla, arrived at the scene to report some details regarding the fire.
The Secretary of State noted that these are high-intensity and complex fires in the Area of Curauma and Placilla. “We are with all the resources available, strengthening the work against fires. We have 1,800 hectares and five spotlights that are very aggressive, very intense,” he said.
“We call on the population in the nearby area to take the necessary precautions of self-care, especially in the case of children, older adults and people with respiratory problems, who stay in shelter or who can move away from the area of the Fire. The priority is in caring for people, protecting residential areas,” he added.
Blumel further noted that two persons were arrested for their alleged involvement in the origin of the flames, who will be made available “to the Prosecutor’s Office as alleged perpetrators of the fire crime”, as later clarified by the intendent, Jorge Martínez.
“That’s why the call is to denounce any possibility of any focus that can be quickly appreciated. The best fire is the one that can be controlled quickly and attacked from the beginning, then it costs a lot,” Blumel said.
It is worth mentioning that 15 helicopters, 7 aircraft, 300 brigadiers and 200 firefighters work in the area.
Power outage
According to the information from the company Esval, brief water outages could be generated in the area.
The points that would be affected are: Villa Fundadores, Alto Verde, El Vergel, La Isla and Portezuelo.
“We need Firefighters to have as much flow as possible for the battle of the flames. That is why we have coordinated with the authorities a transient cut of the force majeure service, an effort that will allow the volunteers to have more water”, argued the zonal assistant manager, Alejandro Pérez, according to Emol.
At this time, a new operational committee is held to continue to take the necessary guidelines to move forward with the emergency work.

Original source in Spanish