At least 64 people have died so far due to forest fires in dozens of locations in the South American country of Chile. Hundreds of houses turned to ashes, thousands of people were asked to evacuate their homes. The Santiago government declared a state of emergency due to the fires.
At least 64 people lost their lives in forest fires that broke out in densely populated areas in central and southern Chile. While more than a thousand houses were destroyed in the fires, the Santiago administration declared a state of emergency.
In a speech broadcast live on television, Chilean President Gabriel Boric said that four large fires were raging in the Valparaiso region, where firefighters were struggling to reach, so the death toll could rise further.
Urging citizens to cooperate with rescue workers, Boric said: “If you are told to evacuate, do it. The fires are advancing rapidly and climatic conditions are making it difficult to contain them. There are high temperatures and strong winds. Humidity is also low.”
Boric added that the Ministry of Defense will deploy more military units to the areas affected by the fires and will provide all necessary resources.
Chilean Interior Minister Carolina Toha said yesterday (January 3) that fires broke out in 92 locations in the central and southern regions of the country, where temperatures have been unusually high this week.
Minister Carolina Toha noted that firefighters have brought about 40 fires under control, while 29 forest fires are still being fought.
While air-supported forest extinguishing activities continue, the points where vehicles cannot reach are intervened from the air.
In the South American country, the deadliest fires are raging in the Valparaiso region. Local authorities in these areas have asked thousands of people to evacuate their homes.
Two fires in the vicinity of the towns of Quilpue and Villa Alemana have burned at least 8,000 hectares since Friday, Minister Toha said.
Meanwhile, one of the fires is also threatening the seaside resort of Vina del Mar, where some neighborhoods have already suffered heavy damage.
In the Villa Independencia neighborhood on the eastern edge of the town, some homes and businesses were destroyed, while in the videos shared, burnt cars and ash-covered roads are seen on the streets.
“I have been here for 32 years and I never imagined this would happen,” said Rolando Fernandez, a town resident who lost his home.
Fernandez, who said he first saw the fire on a nearby hill on Friday afternoon, said that within 15 minutes the area was engulfed in flames and smoke as people tried to flee for their lives.
“I have worked all my life and now I have nothing,” Fernandez said.
Interior Minister Toha said that three shelters had been set up in Valparaiso and that 19 helicopters and 450 firefighters had been brought in to fight the flames.
The fires are raging in the dangerously built neighborhoods of touristy Vina del Mar, which are difficult to reach due to their narrow streets.
Authorities reported power outages due to the fire, while Chile’s Interior Minister said four hospitals and three elderly care homes in Valparaiso had to be evacuated.
The fires also destroyed two bus terminals, Minister Toha said.
