CHILE – According to the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf), as of today February 6th, 5pm, there are 56 active wildfires of which 44 are under control, 6 are being fought and 6 have been extinguished. And in support of these firefighting efforts Arauco has added new resources for more effective fire combat.

The new measures taken include new forest harvesting equipment to build more firebreaks, two more airplanes added for a total fleet of ten and firefighters were increased by 400, reaching a total of 1,700 people who are working to put an end to the fires.

“Arauco was established and developed in this territory, with the community. This is why we’re committed to support the work being done to control this situation with our own resources and ongoing coordination with authorities, the Fire Department and Conaf; who are key for our work in this area. We know there is much to be done to overcome this disaster, but we will keep working to rise above it with the community and all the people affected”, said Charles Kimber, Arauco’s Senior Vice-President Commercial & Corporate Affairs.

On February 1st Arauco also announced that all company workers affected by the fire will maintain their jobs and the company has already initiated the engineering assessments for the reconstruction of the El Cruce sawmill, located in the Santa Olga area, with the support of more than 60 workers.

Another important announcement was recently made, in which Arauco confirmed its commitment to the environment by deciding to restore all native forest damaged by wildfires in its property, with the same species in order to preserve the country’s biodiversity and identity. Arauco maintains over 618,000 acres of native forest.

In addition, the company is contributing power to the city of Constitución. Arauco performed a general facility shutdown, leaving the power boiler and turbine generator in operation, which today provides the city of over 45,000 residents with power for their streets and homes.