SANTIAGO: Intense forest fires blazing across central and southern Chile have killed at least 19 people, officials said Saturday, warning the toll was likely to climb as responders comb through burnt-out homes and the intense flames continue to spread.
The intense forest fires, fueled by unusually high temperatures, claim the lives of at least 19 people and devastate large areas around the country’s central and southern regions. Interior Minister Carolina Toha confirmed the grim toll on Saturday, cautioning that the number of casualties may rise.
Of the 19 victims, fifteen have already been identified, according to Minister Toha’s statement. The widespread fires have engulfed 43,000 hectares (106,000 acres) across the nation, with 92 active fire fronts intensifying the emergency response.
Intense Forest Fires in Chile
The epicenter of the deadliest blazes is reported to be in the Valparaiso region, where authorities are urging residents to remain indoors to facilitate the movement of emergency vehicles. In this densely populated area, approximately 1,100 homes have been destroyed.
Two major fires, near the towns of Quilpué and Villa Alemana, have collectively scorched at least 8,000 hectares (19,770 acres) since Friday. The coastal resort town of Viña del Mar faces imminent threat from one of these fires. Efforts to control the blazes are underway, with 19 helicopters and over 450 firefighters deployed to the affected areas.
Rescue teams are facing challenges reaching the most heavily affected neighborhoods, and three shelters have been established in the Valparaiso region to assist those displaced by the fires.
The El Niño weather pattern is identified as a contributing factor to the heightened risk of forest fires, causing droughts and elevated temperatures along the western part of South America. This environmental challenge has also been observed in other regions, as evidenced by the destruction of over 17,000 hectares (42,000 acres) of forests in Colombia in January due to fires exacerbated by dry weather.
