Chilean officials say at least 46 people have died in "unprecedented" wildfires that have burned tens of thousands of hectares in the South American country.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of emergency in the central and southern parts of the country on February 3 due to the wildfires. "Forty people have died in the fires and six have died from burns. These numbers are expected to rise," Boric said. " The government will help people get back on their feet."
According to Interior Minister Carolina Toha, 92 forest fires have broken out in the country as of February 3, burning about 43,000 hectares. Firefighters have brought 40 fires under control and are trying to extinguish 29 others.
Thousands of hectares have burned in the Valparaiso region alone, according to Chile's national forestry agency. "We are facing a disaster and a situation of unprecedented severity in Valparaiso," said Macarena Ripamonti, mayor of the city of Vina del Mar in central Chile.
Smoke from forest fires covers the city of Vina del Mar, central Chile on February 2. Photo: AFP
Chilean authorities imposed a curfew on February 3 to allow emergency supplies, especially fuel, to reach affected areas. Evacuation orders were also issued, but it was unclear how many people would be forced to move to safety.
Yvonne Guzman, 63, and her mother were stuck on the road after evacuating Quilpue, a city bordering Vina del Mar. "I've never seen anything like this," Guzman said. "It's very worrying that we've left our home and can't move forward."
"It was a terrible scene," said Rodrigo Pulgar, who lost his home in the town of El Olivar. "I was trying to help my neighbours. My house was on fire behind me. Ash was pouring from the sky like rain."
The wildfires come as heatwaves and droughts hit southern South America due to the El Nino phenomenon. Experts warn that global warming increases the risk of extreme heat and fires.
Chile and Colombia are battling rising temperatures, and a heat wave threatens to sweep across Paraguay and Brazil. In Argentina, firefighters are battling a blaze that has burned more than 3,000 hectares in Los Alerces National Park since January 25.
Nguyen Tien (According to AFP )
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