Forest Fires Claim 51 Lives in Chile, Threaten Urban Areas – Reuters

Forest fires in central Chile have already claimed at least 51 lives, and officials warn that the death toll may increase as emergency services work diligently to extinguish the flames threatening urban areas.

Thick black smoke has filled the skies over large portions of the Valparaiso region, which is home to nearly a million residents. Firefighters are using helicopters and ground vehicles in their battle against the blazes, but access to some affected areas remains challenging.

The coastal tourist city of Vina del Mar has been particularly hard hit, with rescue teams facing difficulties in reaching all locations impacted by the fires. The death toll rose after five bodies were discovered along public roads, and authorities indicate that the numbers may increase significantly in the upcoming hours, according to Interior Minister Carolina Toha.

Minister Toha highlighted that the situation in Valparaiso is especially precarious and remarked that the country is experiencing its worst disaster since the 2010 earthquake that resulted in approximately 500 deaths.

In a televised address to the nation, President Gabriel Boric acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating, “The situation is really very difficult.”

Wildfires are a recurring issue in Chile during the summer months. Last year, following a record heatwave, about 27 people lost their lives and over 400,000 hectares were affected.

Minister Toha noted, “The area currently engulfed in flames is much smaller than last year, but at this moment, the number of hectares impacted is increasing rapidly.”

Between Friday and Saturday, the area affected by the wildfires surged from 30,000 to 43,000 hectares. Authorities are particularly concerned about active fires that are threatening proximity to urban areas, posing a significant risk to residents, homes, and infrastructure.