A year ago, a forest fire devoured the largest botanical garden in Chile. Faced with the beginning of summer in the southern hemisphere, this centennial park began to adapt by planting thousands of fire-resistant native trees.
## Challenges and Fire Prevention Preparations
Ninety percent of the 400 hectares of the National Botanical Garden of Viña del Mar, 120 km northeast of Santiago, was consumed by fire in one of the deadliest forest fires of the last century. Its director, Alejandro Peirano, is preparing for a possible return of the flames: “We are definitely going to have a fire. That is clear to us.”
In anticipation of a new wildfire season, which is expected to be intense due to the rise in temperatures, the park has begun to prepare by installing a new “battle line” with native trees from Mediterranean climate forests, such as litre, quillay, and colliguay.
## Reforestation Strategies: Fire-Resistant Trees
“The idea is to place the species that burn more slowly, right at the battle line (…) so that the fires, which will occur, do not advance as quickly,” Peirano states.
Volunteers have started reforesting 5,000 specimens of native trees in an eight-hectare area. In two years, their roots will establish and the foliage will provide shade, promoting the regrowth of other species around them.
## Research and Adaptation
The park is planned to be reforested with species capable of adapting to scarce rainfall and prolonged drought, according to Benjamin Véliz, director of the NGO Wild Tree.
Research by the Federico Santa María Technical University (USM) has shown that species like quillay and litre are less flammable than eucalyptus and pine, which could help contain the flames for a longer period.
## Rebirth of the garden
The abundant rains of 2024 have aided in the garden’s recovery, with tree sprouts everywhere. “These trees that burn, come back, because the sclerophyllous forest has a good reaction after fires,” consoles the garden’s director.
During the February fire, the flames spread uncontrollably and consumed the park in less than an hour. Tragically, the greenhouse caretaker, two grandchildren, and their mother died trapped by the flames. Authorities arrested three former firefighters and brigade members suspected of intentionally starting the fire.
## A Sustainable Future
The recovery plan includes not only reforestation but also the creation of firebreaks and the cleaning of ravines to remove dry vegetation and trash. This joint effort between the public and private sectors aims to revive the National Botanical Garden and prepare it for a more resilient future.
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