(Reuters) – On Saturday, Interior Minister Carolina Toha announced that at least 19 people had died in forest fires in Vina del Mar, a coastal tourist city in Chile. Toha also warned that the death toll may rise as rescue teams continue to reach affected areas. The Valparaiso region, home to nearly one million inhabitants in central Chile, was blanketed by black smoke as firefighters worked tirelessly to contain the flames using helicopters and trucks.
Interior Minister Toha reported that there were 92 active fires throughout the country, affecting more than 43,000 hectares of land. Toha cautioned, “The report of fatalities is very provisional. We have reports from other places where there are indications that there may be more people dead but we do not have confirmation on the ground.”
Wildfires are a common occurrence in Chile during the summer months. Last year, a record heat wave led to the deaths of 27 people and the destruction of over 400,000 hectares of land. Toha noted, “The area with fires today is much smaller than last year (but) at this time the number of hectares affected is multiplying very rapidly.”
Between Friday and Saturday, the land affected by the wildfires grew from 30,000 to 43,000 hectares. Toha expressed the authorities’ concern that some of the active fires were spreading dangerously close to urban areas, posing a significant threat to people, homes, and facilities.
Chilean authorities remain vigilant as they work to mitigate the impact of the fast-spreading wildfires. As the situation continues to develop, the government is closely monitoring the spread of the fires and coordinating rescue efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of those affected. The devastation caused by the wildfires serves as a poignant reminder of the need for ongoing efforts to prevent and manage forest fires in Chile.
