Abstract: |
The problem of forest fires affecting natural woodland and forest plantations in Chile was analysed, characterizing the occurrence and the damage caused by this phenomenon. National Forestry Corporation data base was used to undertake the study. Once the problem of forest fires had been profiled, we debated the factors which would explain the increase in occurrence and the scale of the damage recorded to date. The information compiled indicates that the occurrence of forest fires has increased at an almost exponential rate from 1973-74 to the present time, this increase being closely related to the increase in surface area planted with highly inflammable species; the community’s rejection of this type of crop; and the application of intensive silviculture which produces a high available fuel load and adds fire risk factors to the forest environment. In recent years the interaction between city and woodland is an added element which produces numerous fires on the rural-urban interface. The greater surface area of damaged natural vegetation is explained by the fact that this resource does not have sufficient protection all over the country. Moreover, a high proportion of this vegetation is located in inaccessible places, for which reason there is no suitable arrival point at the fire source and the topography does not allow effective fire-fighting. Consequently many fires affect a large surface area. |
