Characterization of native forests resistant to fire in Biobío region megafire of Chile

Abstract

During the fires that destroyed several regions in southern Chile in Jaunary 2017, we observed
the forest destruction in Copiulemu, located in Biobío region.
This observation shows a higher susceptibility to fire of plantations of Pinus radiata and Eucalyptus
spp., than the native forest existing in the area. In this work, were characterized native
forest which presented higher resistance to fire. In a farm were characterized two different
ecosystems: one is a woodland located in low and humid places and the other located in slopes
with low humidity in the soil.
In both types of forest we observed higher relative humidity than in the outside, also temperature
was lower inside the forest.
It can be concluded that in addition to the species that forms the native forest this has higher
relative humidity and lower temperature than in its environment, which may contribute to its fire
resistance.