Bio

Franco Pinto Orellana was 31 years old in May 2024. He worked as a brigade member for the National Forestry Corporation (CONAF) in Chile.

On 24 May 2024, the Investigative Police arrested him along with other people. He was placed in preventive detention while legal proceedings were set.

Reports named him among those detained and noted that a trial date had been scheduled for 30 October.

Murder Story

In February 2024, a series of wildfires broke out in Chile. The fires affected Valparaíso, O'Higgins, Maule, Biobío, and Los Lagos regions. The most severe incidents were in the Valparaíso Region. The government declared two days of national mourning.

Deputy Interior Minister Manuel Monsalve reported on 4 February that there were 162 forest fires across central and southern Chile. The country faced unusually high temperatures and a long drought. Over 43,000 hectares of land were affected. Authorities brought many fires under control while others remained active.

The fires caused heavy damage and many deaths. A total of 131 people were killed, and dozens of bodies were hard to identify. Thousands of houses were affected in Viña del Mar and Quilpué, and many people were displaced. Hospitals and nursing homes were evacuated in Valparaíso.

The government and emergency services responded with many resources. Thirty-one firefighting aircraft and 1,400 firefighters were deployed. The military sent 1,300 personnel to help. Curfews were set in some cities, and a state of emergency was declared.

On 24 May 2024, the Investigative Police arrested Francisco Mondaca Mella (22) and Franco Pinto Orellana (31). Franco Pinto Orellana was a brigade member of the National Forestry Corporation (CONAF). Investigators said they were identified as perpetrators of the fire. The police found evidence on their phones linking them to the same locations, including private messages and GPS data. On 9 September, Elías Salazar Inostroza (39) was also arrested and classified as the intellectual author of the tragedy. All three were placed in preventive detention until their trial.

In July 2025, the Valparaíso Guarantee Court presented an accusation against nine people. The accused included Mondaca, Pinto, and Salazar, along with other firefighters and CONAF and SENAPRED workers. They were charged with forest fires resulting in death, conspiracy, and environmental damage. Prosecutors sought qualified life imprisonment for the suspects. A trial was set to begin on 9 March 2026.

The fires drew national and international reactions. The Viña del Mar Festival canceled its opening gala. Mexico sent firefighters and military personnel and delivered food supplies. Other countries and organizations offered assistance and condolences.