In the wake of unprecedented fire seasons in California, the Amazon, Australia, and Siberia, South America is now on alert for arrival of the spring-summer fire season. There is special concern in Chile, where experts agree that there is an imminent risk of forest fires between the regions of Atacama and Magallanes. The situation is exacerbated by the decrease in rainfall, over a decade of accumulated drought, and the high availability of vegetable fuel that has proliferated and is under high water stress. The situation worsens day by day, especially due to the forecasts of high temperatures above normal from October.

It is for this reason that Ecocopter keeps its fleet of helicopters and crews on alert to fight forest fires in the country.

For this, it has expert crews, equipment and logistics for this type of procedure, as well as helicopters suitable for the geography and conditions of each area. The AS 350 B3 model has optimal characteristics to attack the flames from the air and the transfer of groups of brigade members. This type of aircraft can fly low, have power, stability, speed and a capacity to release up to 1,000 liters of water per discharge. A complete logistics to provide the service in a fast, timely and efficient manner, key attributes when fighting the fire.

For this, it has expert crews, equipment and logistics for this type of procedure, as well as helicopters suitable for the geography and conditions of each area. The AS 350 B3 model has optimal characteristics to attack the flames from the air and the transfer of groups of brigade members. This type of aircraft can fly low, have power, stability, speed and a capacity to release up to 1,000 liters of water per discharge. A complete logistics to provide the service in a fast, timely and efficient manner, key attributes when fighting the fire.

“The diagnosis foresees a possible increase and there are already outbreaks in some communes, and everything indicates that we are going to be much more complicated before which we are already operating. We have a complete support plan increasing the availability of the fleet, equipment and preparation of the crews, in addition to operating with a sense of urgency and having all the security measures and protocols required by the authority as a result of the pandemic, which translates into in an important contribution to the joint work to put out the fire and prevent its spread.”, says Francisco Arriagada, Ecocopter’s Commercial Manager.

According to figures from the National Forestry Corporation, CONAF, last year 36,765 hectares were affected throughout the country, representing an increase in damage of 186%, and this season could be even more complex. Although it is known that 99.% of accidents are caused by humans, the causality of forest fires corresponded to 80% accident rate, 10% intentionality and 10% of unknown origin. For this reason, being prepared is essential to avoid disasters of proportions that can affect not only people’s health, but also the economy and the environment.