Central Chile is grappling with massive forest fires that erupted on February 2, claiming at least 64 lives. The affected areas have witnessed intensified efforts by firefighters to contain the blazes, prompting officials to extend curfews in the worst-hit cities, The Guardian reported on February 4.
Rodrigo Mundaca, the governor of the Valparaíso region, expressed concerns on Sunday that some of the fires might have been intentionally set. This theory was echoed by President Gabriel Boric on Saturday. Mundaca stated,
"These fires began in four points that lit up simultaneously. As authorities, we will have to work rigorously to find who is responsible."
Despite originating in hard-to-reach mountainous forested areas, the fires have breached densely populated neighborhoods on the outskirts of Viña del Mar, defying efforts by Chilean authorities to contain their advance. President Boric highlighted the challenging conditions, citing unusually high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds hindering firefighting efforts. The wildfires have already consumed 8,000 hectares of forest and urban areas.
As a response to the escalating crisis, officials are urging residents in affected areas to evacuate swiftly, while those farther from the flames are advised to stay indoors to facilitate the movement of emergency vehicles. Curfews have been imposed in Viña del Mar, as well as neighboring cities Quilpé and Villa Alemana, as a preventive measure against potential looting.
The outbreak of fires coincided with a week of record high temperatures in central Chile. The El Niño weather pattern over the past two months has exacerbated conditions, leading to droughts and elevated temperatures in western South America, heightening the risk of forest fires.
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