Puente Alto Fire: School Closures & CMPC Plant Incident

Fire Continues at Puente Alto Paper Recycling Plant: Four Schools Close

A large fire continues to burn at a CMPC paper plant in Puente Alto, a commune within the Metropolitan Region of Chile, prompting ongoing efforts from firefighters and the suspension of classes at four local schools. The blaze, which began Tuesday afternoon at the Papeles Cordillera plant, has consumed approximately 8 hectares of paper and cardboard stock in the facility’s storage yard, according to officials. While the fire is contained, it is not yet under control, and firefighters are working to prevent further spread.

The incident began in the afternoon and escalated, requiring the response of around 220 firefighters and 50 fire trucks. Sergio Pinilla, commander of the Puente Alto Fire Department, stated near midnight that the fire was “contained, but not controlled,” meaning crews will continue working through the night to fully extinguish the flames. The materials involved – large quantities of paper and cardboard awaiting recycling – are proving difficult to extinguish, described by Pinilla as a “complex fuel.”

Currently, no homes are threatened, but the proximity of the fire to nearby camps has raised concerns from local authorities. Matías Toledo, the mayor of Puente Alto, expressed his worry regarding the fire’s closeness to these camps, though as of early Wednesday morning, no injuries had been reported.

CMPC Biopackaging Corrugados General Manager Alfredo Gili confirmed the fire is concentrated in the plant’s paper and cardboard accumulation area, intended for recycling. He emphasized that the burning materials pose no health risk, stating, “There are no combustible materials that are dangerous, toxic, or that could damage health. It is only paper and cardboard, which is the raw material that this plant uses.” Publimetro reported that the incident has activated an environmental emergency alert (SAE) and prompted a preventative evacuation of the Pie Andino sector.

Classes Suspended as a Precaution

The fire’s impact extends beyond the immediate industrial area. Authorities have suspended classes at four schools in Puente Alto as a precautionary measure due to the smoke and potential air quality concerns. La Tercera reported on the school closures, highlighting the concern for student safety.

Firefighting Efforts and Containment

Firefighters are focusing on preventing the fire from spreading to unaffected areas of the plant. The sheer volume of paper and cardboard is complicating efforts, requiring a sustained and coordinated response. As of Wednesday morning, nearly 300 firefighters were still actively battling the blaze, utilizing 50 fire trucks. Diario Financiero noted that firefighters had managed to contain the fire, but it remained active.

CMPC’s Response and Material Safety

CMPC has been cooperating with authorities and providing information about the materials involved in the fire. The company has stated that the burning materials – paper and cardboard destined for recycling – are not hazardous or toxic, posing no immediate threat to public health. TVN reported on CMPC’s assurances regarding the safety of the materials.

Ongoing Monitoring and Future Steps

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, assessing air quality and potential environmental impacts. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Firefighters will remain on scene until the fire is fully extinguished and the area is deemed safe. The extent of the damage to the CMPC plant is still being evaluated, and the company has not yet provided a timeline for resuming operations.