Massive forest fires have wreaked havoc in central Chile, claiming at least 112 lives and leaving 1,600 people homeless. The fires, which erupted two days ago, have posed significant challenges for firefighters battling to contain the infernos (via AP News).
VINA DEL MAR, CHILE - FEBRUARY 4: Aerial view of burt trees at Villa El Olivar after the forest fires on February 4, 2024 in Vina del Mar, Chile. President Gabriel Boric declared state of emergency as fires rage in the center and south of the country. According to authorities death toll rises to 112 and expect the number of victims to climb. At least 1,300 homes were destroyed. Unusually high temperatures hit the country soaring to 40 degrees Celsius.
Entire Neighborhoods Engulfed in Fire
The city of Viña del Mar, a popular beach resort, has been particularly hard-hit, with a famous botanical garden founded in 1931 falling victim to the flames on Sunday.
Entire neighborhoods on the city's eastern edge have been engulfed, trapping some residents in their homes. Tragically, 200 people are reported missing in Viña del Mar and the surrounding areas, adding to the urgency of rescue efforts.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric, visibly moved by the scale of the tragedy, visited the affected town of Quilpé, where 64 people lost their lives. Later, Chile's Forensic Medicine Service raised the confirmed death toll to 112, a number that may unfortunately rise as rescue workers sift through collapsed homes.
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Possible Causes
Governor Rodrigo Mundaca of the Valparaiso region, where Viña del Mar is located, expressed concern that some fires were intentionally set. He noted that the fires started simultaneously in four locations, prompting authorities to investigate thoroughly.
The fires began in remote, mountainous, forested areas near Viña del Mar, making them difficult to access. Despite Chilean authorities' efforts, the flames spread through densely populated neighborhoods, fueled by unusually high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds.
President Boric, who flew over the affected areas, acknowledged the difficulty of containing the wildfires in such extreme conditions.
Boric announced temporarily converting a presidential vacation home into a leisure center for children from fire-affected families. The president also declared two days of national mourning, emphasizing unity after this national tragedy.
As rescue and firefighting efforts intensify, authorities are urging people in affected areas to evacuate as soon as possible, while those further away are advised to stay at home to allow emergency vehicles to pass through.
Alarming Trend
Beyond Chile, this catastrophe adds to a concerning global trend. Recent data indicates a significant increase in forest fires worldwide, burning nearly twice as much tree cover as two decades ago.
In 2021 alone, forest fires caused a staggering 9.3 million hectares of tree cover loss globally. Fueled by climate change, the ongoing trend poses a serious threat, with extreme heat waves becoming five times more likely today than 150 years ago (via World Resources Institute).
The current fires in Chile coincide with a week of record-high temperatures in central Chile, exacerbated by the El Niño weather pattern causing droughts and increased fire risks in western South America.
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