Wildfire crisis in Central Chile: Death toll hits 46, thousands displaced

Sunday, February 4, 2024

Severe wildfires in central Chile have killed at least 46, destroying over 1,100 homes. High temperatures and El Niño have increased fire risks.

Severe wildfires engulfing areas near the heart of Chile have resulted in the tragic loss of at least 46 lives, as announced by the nation’s leader on Saturday night. The destruction has been widespread, with over 1,100 residences being reduced to rubble.

During a broadcast to the nation, President Gabriel Boric issued a caution that the number of casualties might climb, with four significant wildfires raging within the Valparaiso region. These blazes have posed a considerable challenge for firefighters attempting to access the most jeopardized communities.

Earlier in the day, Interior Minister Carolina Tohá reported that a total of 92 wildfires were active across central and southern Chile, fueled by unusually high temperatures throughout the week.

The most lethal fires have been concentrated in the Valparaíso area, prompting officials to advise thousands to vacate their homes.

Elsewhere, individuals residing in districts further from the flames were advised to remain indoors, facilitating the unhindered movement of emergency vehicles, including fire trucks and ambulances, on the streets.

Since Friday, two fires close to Quilpué and Villa Alemana have devoured an expanse of at least 8,000 hectares (about 19,770 acres), with one of the conflagrations nearing the coastal getaway of Viña del Mar, severely affecting some localities.

In Villa Independencia, a community perched on a hillside at Viña del Mar’s eastern frontier, numerous homes and commercial establishments were obliterated. The aftermath saw streets strewn with ash and lined with charred vehicles featuring shattered windows.

To combat the infernos, three emergency shelters were established in the Valparaíso region, alongside the deployment of 19 helicopters and over 450 firefighters.

These fires have been particularly challenging due to their location on difficult-to-access mountainous terrains, including neighborhoods precariously situated on Viña del Mar’s outskirts.

The situation has led to widespread power outages, and, according to Tohá, four hospitals and three elderly care facilities in the Valparaíso area had to undergo evacuation. Additionally, two bus terminals were among the infrastructure devastated by the fires.

This year’s El Niño weather phenomenon has exacerbated conditions, leading to droughts and higher-than-average temperatures along South America’s western coast, heightening the risk of wildfires. In Colombia, the dry spell in January led to fires that consumed over 17,000 hectares (approximately 42,000 acres) of forest.

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