Chile is in the grip of raging wildfires for the past few days. Wildfires have been burning across parts of central Chile, particularly in the regions of Valparaíso, O’Higgins and Maule resulting in casualties and damage. According to the Chilean National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (SENAPRED), at least 112 people have died following the wildfires whereas Reuters has reported 123 dead.
The worst-hit area is Complejo las Tablas- Reserva Lago Peñuelas where at least 8,500 ha have burnt. Some 200 people have been reported missing in and around Viña del Mar City. Authorities have expressed fears that the death toll will keep climbing as more bodies are found on hillsides and houses devastated by the wildfires
President Gabriel Boric warned the country faces a “tragedy of very great magnitude”, since the 2010 earthquake. According to the Chilean National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (SENAPRED), there were still 161 fires active in the country as of Feb. 5, but 102 are controlled, leaving 40 still being fought, down slightly from the 92 fires burning on Saturday, Feb. 3. The simultaneous ignition of the fires in four areas has led some officials to cite arson as a possible cause to investigate (CDP).
Officials have extended curfews in cities most heavily affected by the blazes. The fires have been burning with the highest intensity around the city of Viña del Mar, where a botanical garden founded in 1931 was destroyed by the flames. At least 1,600 people have been left without homes (The Guardian).
