Abstract

Chile is a country in South America with a Mediterranean climate conducive to the occurrence and spread of forest fires. As a result of human activity, regression of natural woodland has been accentuated in the last 150 years due mainly to extensive burning of land for livestock and agriculture. The central-south region in particular has experienced profound changes in its territory and more evidently in the period from 1850-1950 when extensive areas of native woodland were destroyed by fire. At present, the number of fires and amount of damage has stabilized over time, owing mainly to the growing development of regulations, laws and fire management protocols which has led to the creation of defense institutions which still exist today. Furthermore, forestry activity in Chile is recognized internationally for its exports from exotic plantations and their incorporation of added value. Chile has international prestige for forestry management certification, which recognizes its defense of woodland against fires and forestry management regulations, which coexist with defense activities for productive plantations. This article describes key developments that show how the country has progressed in the sphere of forest fire defense, scientific and technological progress and current trends in the field of research and protocols for fire-fighting