Chile: A state of emergency has been declared in Chile in response to the rapidly spreading forest fires in the nation’s centre, which have claimed at least ten lives to date.
President Gabriel Boric announced the measure on X, posting that “all forces are deployed in the fight against the forest fires.” He also mentioned that emergency services would meet on Saturday to evaluate the situation.
Since Friday, the fires have destroyed thousands of hectares of forest, shrouding coastal cities in a thick cloud of grey smoke and displacing residents of Vina del Mar and Valparaiso in the centre. A Valparaiso state representative said that at least ten people had passed away.
“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,” said Leonardo Moder, the director of Valparaiso’s national forestry corporation.
The El Nino weather phenomenon is causing a summer heatwave and drought in southern South America, which is fueling the fire. Scientists warn that the planet is warming, which increases the likelihood of natural disasters like fires and extreme heat.
Fires in the southwest of the capital have destroyed almost thirty homes in the towns of Estrella and Navidad, forcing residents to evacuate close to Pichilemu, a popular surfing destination.
Authorities closed the highway that connects Valparaiso with Santiago, the capital, on Friday due to “reduced visibility” caused by a massive mushroom-shaped cloud of smoke
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