Fires prompt red alert in Aisén

SANTIAGO.- Authorities denied yesterday that the fire currently affecting the region of Aisén in the Río Ibáñez sector next to the Palvichini pass had intensified.  Nevertheless, the Regional Intendent, Selim Carrasco, and the Director of the Emergency Office for the area decided to issue a red alert for the town.

The blaze, which has already consumed more than 20 thousand hectares –ten thousand on each side of the mountain range— has not been controlled.  Favorable wind conditions, as well as work done by CONAF and military officials however, have helped to decrease the intensity of the fire. 

“The wind has taken it to the east, towards Argentina.  We are concerned about people’s safety and we have 60 fire-fighters working on it”, Bravo told Radio Cooperativa.

Meanwhile, the Director of CONAG, Claudio Godoy, stated that there are five fire-fighting units working to control the flames and, if weather conditions remain favorable, the fire could be controlled by Wednesday.