Wildfires ravage more than 1,000 hectares in northern Chile

26 January 2020

CHILE – Santiago de Chile, Jan 26 (Prensa Latina) Wildfires are keeping several municipalities in the Bío Bío Region of central-southern Chile on alert on Sunday, with more than 1,250 hectares of forest and pasture land destroyed.

The magnitude of the fires forced the authorities of that territory to issue a Red Alert in the municipalities of Curanilahue, Santa Juana, Hualqui and Chiguayante and La Amarilla of the province of Concepción, reported Radio Bío Bío.

Staff from the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf), firemen and forestry brigades are fighting the flames that have threatened homes at certain times, forcing many residents to abandon their homes and evacuate to safe areas.

In the municipality of Chiguayante, the most dangerous incident is reported, which has been active since last Friday, with the destruction of more than 500 hectares and even affecting part of the territory of the Nonguén forest reserve.

An Emergency Operating Committee was set up in the area, where the mayor of Bío Bío, Sergio Giacaman, said the main concern is the protection of homes and people.

High temperatures of the austral summer and the intense drought affecting a large part of Chile are triggers for forest fires, added to the negligence or intentionality of people, according to constant warnings from the authorities.

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26. January 2020/by GFMCadmin