Chile: At least 13 dead from forest fires – Watch video

At least 13 people have died and more than 140,000 hectares of forest have been reduced to ashes by wildfires raging in Chile, according to the latest tally released by authorities.

Eleven people – including a firefighter – died in the town of Santa Juana in the Bio-Bio region, about 500 kilometers south of the capital Santiago.

More scenes from Chile’s wildfire bust this week. Here in Tomè crews are doing structure protection after the fire jumped the road. I’ve been told by folks that are in the know that there is only one Aerotek platform available for the entire country. #wildfire #chile pic.twitter.com/VTm2PLWNAM

— TheHotshotWakeUp: Podcast (@HotshotWake) February 3, 2023

The Ministry of Agriculture also announced the crash of a helicopter that killed the pilot and an engineer, in the region of Arakuania.

The government has declared a state of emergency in the regions of Bio-Bio and Niublé, where army forces have been deployed to help firefighters.

Hundreds of homes have been destroyed, while 39 fire fronts are ongoing in various parts of Chile, according to Interior Minister Carolina Toja. “Conditions over the next few days will be dangerous,” he warned.

#Chile #IncendioForestal #LaAraucanía
Residents of the #Vilcún community in a dramatic situation, as a #wildfiredriven by wind and high temperatures, reached the populated area.

📽 Radio FM Centro pic.twitter.com/IEokdR6Wvr

— 🚨 MiBaWi 🇩🇪🇺🇲🇨🇦🇨🇱🇪🇸🇦🇺🇺🇦🇮🇩🇳🇱 (@Michael45231497) February 3, 2023

Powerful forces of the fire brigade and the army, with the assistance of 63 aircraft, are fighting the flames, while help is expected from Brazil and Argentina.

Chilean President Gabriel Boric interrupted his summer vacation to visit the affected areas, home to nearly 2 million people. “As president, I have to ensure that all resources are available for this emergency, so that the residents realize that they are not going to be alone,” he said. President Boric underlined that there are “indications” that some fires are due to arsonists.

The fires have brought traffic to a standstill on major highways, and many communities have been evacuated.

The meteorological service predicts that today in Niublé’s capital, Chizan, the temperature will exceed 38 degrees Celsius. Strong winds will also blow in the area, with the risk of worsening the situation.

An overhead view of wildfires in Chile. “She’s gone.” This latest outbreak of wildfires has been the worst of the season. Resources are stretched very thin at this point. #chile #wildfire #fire #bomberos pic.twitter.com/LXlpGU1mDU

— TheHotshotWakeUp: Podcast (@HotshotWake) February 3, 2023

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