Wildfire near solar park in Romeral, Chile, possibly started by maintenance work
Dec 2025Published 31 Oct 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor
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What happened
On 29 December 2025 a fast-spreading wildfire in the commune of Romeral, Curicó, Chile, affected a solar panel park in the area, according to local media. The local emergency coordinator described the solar park as the main concern, with the fire moving along a river gully towards the east and west and at least three critical hotspots. Preliminary reports gave the burned area as more than 15 hectares, although a feed summary of the same event gave about one hectare, so the figure is unconfirmed.
Three Romeral fire companies, four CONAF brigades (two ground and two helitransported), two helicopters and two air tankers responded, supported by municipal and private water tankers and farm machinery from neighbouring estates building firebreaks. Emergency teams reported the spread was partly contained. Authorities said the cause was under investigation, but the fire may have started from maintenance and grass-cutting work by outside personnel under the solar panel structures. The extent of damage to the panels has not been reported. Local residents were urged to stay cautious and allow water tankers to pass.
Contributing factors
Investigators were examining whether maintenance and grass-cutting work by external personnel beneath the panel structures started the fire. Rapid spread through rural terrain and a river gully, and multiple hotspots, were noted as complicating the response. Cause not confirmed at the time of reporting.
Lessons learned
- Vegetation management under and around solar arrays should be planned with fire risk in mind, including limits on mechanical cutting during dry or high-wind conditions.
- Contractors carrying out maintenance or grass-cutting on energy sites should be briefed on fire prevention and have fire suppression equipment on hand.
- Sites in wildfire-prone rural areas should maintain firebreaks and agree water and aerial support arrangements with local fire services in advance.
More lessons on maintenance, inspection and ageing assets, worker safety and safe systems of work, weather and external hazards, from every incident on the register.
Source
Published 2026-10-31. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.
