Our Forest Fire Prevention and Logistical Support Brigade has delivered their first training module alongside the Civil Protection authorities from San Martín de los Andes. The Fundación and the town authorities led a workshop on the use of chainsaws and basic tree felling techniques last Friday and Saturday, in facilities provided by Entasur.
Operational staff from Civil Protection, members of Conef and our Brigade leaders trained participants in both theoretical and practical exercises, during which invasive trees were cut down in the Radales Protected Area.
The exercise is part of Civil Protection’s plan to strengthen the management of forest fire risk, which includes managing public forests inside the urban area. Their first such intervention will take place in patches of pines located on los Alamos street in the Altos de Chapelco neighbourhood.
Seven young people in training to join the Fundación’s Brigade from the Cayun, Curruhuinca and Vera Mapuche communities took part in the exercise. The Fundación has already contributed to the prevention of forest fires in San Martín de los Andes, for example by donating and managing water tanks, donating a collapsable water tank to the Volunteer Firefighters of the town and by collating and publishing a fire risk index during the summer season.
