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Worst wildfires in Chile’s modern history

worst-wildfires-chile-history-january-2017

As of January 26, 2017, forest fires burning across central and southern Chile over the last couple of weeks have consumed an area of 238 600 hectares (589 600 acres / 981 mi2 / 2 386 km2) and killed 6 people. Red Alert for forest fires is in effect in the regions of Coquimbo, Valparaiso, Metropolitana, O’Higgings, Maule and Biobio.

As of 07:00 UTC today, ONEMI reported 99 forest fires, of which 64 are still active, 30 have been controlled and five have been extinguished, in the regions of Coquimbo, Valparaiso, Metropolitan, O’Higgins, Maule, Biobio, La Araucania.

According to local media, as of the same date, the death toll has reached six people, of which five in Maule, and one more in Santiago (Metropolitan). They also reported at least 30 people injured, 4 000 people evacuated and over 340 houses damaged in the regions of Maule, Metropolitan, O'Higgings, Biobio.

The wildfires are described as the worst in Chile's modern history and the country has asked for international help. The United States has sent a massive Boing 747-400 Super Tanker which arrived yesterday. The aircraft flew in from a US air force base in Colorado and is funded (US$ 2 million) by a wealthy Chilean resident in the US, Lucy Ana Aviles. France, Peru and Mexico have also sent help.

YouTube video

YouTube video

The fires are fueled by strong winds and extremely high temperatures on top of nearly a decade-long drought.

"We have never seen something of this size, never in Chile's history. And the truth is we are doing everything that is humanly possible and will continue to do so until the fires are contained and controlled," President Michelle Bachelet said. 

Bachelet added that at least some of the fires may have been intentionally started and that there had been a number of arrests.

Wildfires in Chile as seen by Suomi NPP on January 25, 2017

Credit: NASA/NOAA/DoD Suomi NPP/VIIRS. Acquired January 25, 2017

Over the next 24 hours, extremely high temperatures are forecast for the already affected regions. Up to 37 °C (98.6 °F) in Maule, 39 °C (102.2 °F) in Biobio and up to 35 °C (95 °F) in Los Lagos.

As of early January 26, Red Alert for forest fires is in effect in the regions of Coquimbo, Valparaiso, Metropolitana, O’Higgings, Maule, Biobio.

Featured image credit: Wildfires in Chile, January 2017. Credit: Ruptly

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