PENCO, Chile (AP) — Devastating wildfires are sweeping through central and southern Chile, resulting in at least 18 fatalities, thousands of acres burned, and widespread destruction of homes. The country is currently facing a harsh heat wave, intensifying the crisis.
President Gabriel Boric has declared a state of emergency in the Biobio and Ñuble regions, about 500 kilometers south of Santiago. This declaration helps mobilize military resources to combat over 25 active wildfires that have already consumed around 21,000 acres, according to the national forestry agency.
Speaking from the impacted city of Concepción, Boric conveyed his sympathies to the victims and noted that the death toll and property destruction figures are likely to rise. He estimated that more than a thousand homes in the Biobio region have been affected so far. The fires have forced 50,000 people to evacuate.
Boric emphasized that while extinguishing the fires is the immediate priority, the human toll must not be overlooked. “There are families who are suffering,” he said. His remarks came after local leaders expressed frustration over a lack of government support during the crisis. For instance, Rodrigo Vera, the mayor of Penco, voiced his disappointment over the delayed government response as the community faced destruction.
Firefighters are battling the flames under challenging conditions, with temperatures exceeding 38°C (100°F) and strong winds making the task even more difficult. “The weather is expected to remain extreme,” said Interior Minister Álvaro Elizalde.
Residents were taken by surprise as the fires rapidly spread. “Many thought the fire would stop at the forest edge,” said local resident John Guzmán. “It was out of control; no one expected this.”
The inferno has devastated areas of Penco, destroying vehicles, a school, and a church, forcing many to seek shelter in makeshift locations. “We fled with our kids in the dark,” recalled Juan Lagos.
The government has imposed a nighttime curfew in affected areas. Sadly, charred bodies have been discovered in homes and along roadways, leaving communities in grief. “We lost people we knew well,” lamented Víctor Burboa.
Chile experiences wildfires annually, peaking in February during the hottest months. The country is still affected by an ongoing drought. For context, in 2024, massive wildfires resulted in over 130 deaths, marking one of the nation’s worst natural disasters since the 2010 earthquake.
Argentina is facing similar challenges with wildfires in the Patagonia region, straining resources as both countries deal with increasing heat and dryness. According to a recent report, wildfires in South America are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, raising concerns about environmental and economic impacts.
As these nations fight to recover, it’s a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges that climate change poses to communities worldwide. For further insights, you can explore data on environmental changes and their effects on natural disasters here.
Source link
Gabriel Boric, General news, Chile, Wildfires, Natural disasters, Weather, Santiago, Planets, Chile government, Fires, Latin America, AP Top News, Astronomy, Central America, South America, Vctor Burboa, Climate and environment, Business, Heat waves, World news, Juan Lagos, John Guzmn, Forests, Rodrigo Vera, Climate
