Fires in Chile reached record proportions in history due to heat
2023.02.06 13:36
Fires in Chile reached record proportions in history due to heat
By Ray Johnson
Budrigannews.com – On Monday, authorities in Chile said that hot and dry weather would continue this week, potentially escalating what are already the deadliest fires in the country’s recent history. As a result, firefighters were battling to contain forest fires.
24 people have died as a result of the fires in south-central Chile, which have destroyed 270,000 hectares (667,000 acres) of land and made 2023 the second worst year in terms of hectares burned after the so-called “fire storm” in 2017.
According to the state’s National Forestry Corporation, there were 275 active fires as of Monday morning, 69 of which were currently engaged in combat.
President Gabriel Boric tweeted, “Unity to face the tragedy, unity to rebuild ourselves.”
Chile has been experiencing dry weather for more than a decade. Last year, the World Meteorological Organization dubbed it a “mega drought,” adding that it was the longest in 1,000 years and a major water crisis.
During the summer season in the Southern Hemisphere, the fires have spread quickly due to the heat wave and strong winds.
Argentina, Spain, and Mexico sent aid to Chile on Sunday and Monday, and the government said it expected new support from Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, and Venezuela.
The fires have had a major impact on Chile’s agricultural and forestry sectors, but they have not affected the world’s largest copper producer’s mining industry, whose mines are mostly in the north.
Reuters was informed on Monday by the Chilean Wood Corporation, an industry association, that its partners are currently focused on the emergency and have not yet completed a preliminary impact assessment.
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