Chile is currently facing a devastating forest fire crisis, with at least 19 people dead and thousands forced to flee their homes. The government has declared a state of emergency as they struggle to combat the spreading fires in the central region of Valparaiso.
President Gabriel Boric took to social media to announce the emergency measures, stating, “All forces are deployed in the fight against the forest fires.” Emergency services are set to meet on Saturday to assess the situation and coordinate their efforts.
The fires have already destroyed thousands of hectares of forest, enveloping coastal cities in a thick cloud of smoke. The regions of Vina del Mar and Valparaiso have been particularly affected, with residents forced to evacuate their homes.
Interior Minister Carolina Toha has warned that the death toll could rise as rescue teams reach more affected areas. She stated, “The report of fatalities is very provisional… there may be more people dead but we do not have confirmation on the ground.”
Leonardo Moder, the director of Valparaiso’s national forestry corporation, explained the challenges faced by firefighters. “We have winds of close to 40 or 50km per hour. This wind is hard because it carries lit leaves, branches or pieces of wood, and each creates a new little fire that grows into more fires.”
The severity of the blaze can be attributed to a combination of factors, including a summer heatwave and drought caused by the El Nino weather phenomenon. Scientists have long warned that a warming planet increases the risk of natural disasters such as intense heat and fires.
The situation is dire throughout the country, with 92 active fires and over 43,000 hectares affected by the incident. In towns like Estrella and Navidad, southwest of the capital, homes have been destroyed, and evacuations have been carried out near the popular surfing resort of Pichilemu.
Yvonne Guzman, a 63-year-old resident, shared her harrowing experience of fleeing her home in Quilpue. “It’s very distressing because we’ve evacuated the house but we can’t move forward. There are all these people trying to get out and who can’t move.”
The scale of the destruction is evident in Valparaiso alone, where approximately 7,000 hectares have already been burned. The Chilean national forest authority, CONAF, has described the blazes as “extreme.”
Videos captured by trapped motorists have gone viral online, showcasing the mountains engulfed in flames at the end of Route 68, a popular route for tourists heading to the Pacific coast beaches. The road has been closed since Friday due to reduced visibility caused by the massive mushroom cloud of smoke.
As Chile and Colombia battle rising temperatures, the heatwave poses a threat to Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil in the coming days. The situation is a stark reminder of the urgent need for global action to combat climate change and its devastating consequences.
The Chilean government continues to mobilize all available resources to fight the fires and protect affected communities. The bravery and resilience of firefighters and emergency personnel are commendable as they work tirelessly to bring the situation under control. Our thoughts are with the people of Chile during this challenging time, and we hope for a swift resolution to this crisis.
