WILDFIRES

INGLÉS PARA TODOS EN CASA

• How does a wildfire start?
• When are wildfires most
likely to occur?
• How do wildfires impact the
environment?
• Why are wildfires so
destructive?
• How can we stop wildfires?
SANTIAGO, Feb 2 (Reuters) - Wildfires have consumed more than 750
hectares (1,853 acres) of forest in Chile, destroying houses and
threatening farms and forests as the South American nation faces a
summer heatwave across southern and central swathes of the country.
Fire has so far covered some 550 hectares, an area nearly three times the
size of Monaco, near the city of Chillan some 400 kilometers (250 miles)
Chile wildfires consume over 750
from capital Santiago, according to the National Forestry Corporation
(Conaf).
hectares threatening forests, farmland
"It's like your life is over," said Juan Pradenas, a mechanic whose home in
Chillan was destroyed by the fire. "At my age, I have to start fighting again
to recover my equipment, I lost all my working tools."
"It is terrible," added Rosa Torres, who lives near Chillan. "The fire was
there, we could see it from afar and then the wind changed and in the
blink of an eye the fire was here."
Chile heat wave could further fan the flames of deadly wildfires
Chile's Interior Ministry declared a red alert for Nuble region and Biobio
region, further south, as it looks to secure more funding to fight the blaze
in areas of more intense forestry and agricultural production.
The ministry has also temporarily closed seven national parks in Santiago
and some of Chile's southern regions due to the risk of new fires.
The authorities also ordered the evacuation of rural areas of Nuble region
due to the risk of fire.
The government also fears that the Puelche - a phenomenon of hot, dry
wind which is expected to arrive over central and southern Chile shortly -
could pile on challenges to a region already registering temperatures of
42°C (108°F).
"It is a very complex combination," Agriculture Minister Esteban
Valenzuela told journalists.
Chile heat wave could further fan the flames
of deadly wildfires

QUILLON, Chile, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Chilean authorities on Tuesday warned of a "very complex" situation as a
new heat wave in the country's south-central region threatened to further fan the flames of dangerous forest fires
that have already left 24 dead.
Over 293,000 hectares (724,000 acres) have been ravaged by fires this season, and forecasts for higher
temperatures stretching from Santiago to the southern regions that have been the focal point of the flames have
raised concerns about the 82 active fires.
High temperatures are forecast through Friday and could rise above 35 degrees Celsius (95°F) in the central
Maule y Ñuble regions, "creating a very complex situation in terms of weather," Deputy Interior Minister Manuel
Monsalve told reporters.
Later Tuesday, Monsalve said the government had confirmed 24 people had died from the fires, revising a
previously reported toll of 26 victims.
Monsalve said international fire brigades from Colombia and Mexico were assisting. He said 17 people had been
arrested for possible links to starting the fires, several of them for activities such as welding or burning clothing
and animal wool.
Air quality in the affected areas has deteriorated significantly due to the smoke from the fires, said Health
Minister Ximena Aguilera.
Chile's massive pulp and paper company CMPC said in a statement on Tuesday that over 10,000 hectares (24,700
acres) of its plantations have been affected by the fires, while operations at some of its processing plants had
been halted.