- As of Friday, authorities were struggling to contain the many wildfires that had erupted, burning over 14,000 hectares (34,595 acres) of land across the country.
- Wildfires have grown in scope, intensity and frequency as rising temperatures and drought heighten fire conditions worldwide.
As of Friday, authorities were struggling to contain the many wildfires that had erupted, burning over 14,000 hectares (34,595 acres) of land across the country. The fires have been exacerbated by a nearly 13-year-long drought in the country and a heat wave. The wildfires in the South American nation of Chile have killed an estimated seven people as blazes tear across wide swathes of forests and farmland, incinerating homes.
On Friday, weather forecasts predicted temperatures of more than 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) in Nuble’s capital of Chillan. Many of the fires are concentrated in the Biobío region, located about 560 kilometres (348 miles) south of the capital city of Santiago. Four deaths reported so far have occurred there, and many involved vehicles. The government has declared a catastrophe in Biobio and the neighbouring region of Nuble. Another area was hit hard by the fires. Toha said the region of La Araucania was also struggling to contain the blazes amid strong winds and high temperatures fuelled by Chile’s withering heat wave.
Chile’s President Gabriel Boric cut his vacation short to visit affected areas, saying the “full force of the state will be deployed” to control the blazes and assist victims. Partly due to climate change, wildfires have grown in scope, intensity and frequency as rising temperatures and drought heighten fire conditions around the world, resulting in explosive blazes in places like Chile, Algeria, France, Spain and the western United States.