Massive forest fires have wreaked havoc in central Chile, claiming at least 99 lives as firefighters battle relentlessly against the raging infernos, AP reports.

The Chile forest fires, which erupted two days ago, intensified around Viña del Mar, resulting in the destruction of a renowned botanical garden founded in 1931.

The devastation left 1,600 people homeless, and around 200 individuals were reported missing in Viña del Mar and the surrounding areas.

Chilean President Gabriel Boric visited Quilpé, another severely affected town, reporting 64 casualties. However, the death toll was later revised to 99 by Chile's Forensic Medicine Service.

Viña del Mar, a popular beach resort with a population of 300,000, witnessed several neighborhoods succumb to flames, trapping residents in their homes.

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Escalating Crisis Across Chile

As the nation grapples with the crisis, there are currently 161 active Chile forest fires countrywide, with firefighters bringing 102 under control and actively combating 40.

álvaro Hormazábal, director of the National Disaster Prevention and Response Service, provided these figures.

President Boric, during a press conference, declared Monday and Tuesday as days of national mourning, anticipating a significant increase in the death toll.

Rodrigo Mundaca, the governor of the Valparaiso region, confirmed on Sunday the imposition of a curfew in the towns of Viña del Mar, Quilpué, Villa Alemana, and Limache. This measure is intended to facilitate the efforts of authorities in combating the ongoing blazes in the region.

The mayor of Quilpué, Valeria Melipillán, reported to CNN Chile that the fire is likely the largest ever recorded in the region.

She further noted that nearly 1,400 houses in the municipality had already sustained damage due to the wildfire.

Despite efficient evacuation efforts by authorities, it was mentioned that some residents in the affected areas were reluctant to leave their homes, adding complexity to the situation.

Valparaíso Region Bears the Brunt

The Valparaíso region witnessed the deadliest fires, urging thousands to evacuate their homes, according to Euronews.

Residents in areas further away were advised to stay indoors to ease the movement of emergency vehicles.

Two fires near Quilpué and Villa Alemana scorched over 8,000 hectares since Friday, with one threatening Viña del Mar.

The Hillside neighborhood of Villa Independencia suffered severe losses, leaving homes, vehicles, and businesses in ruins.

Residents, including Rolando Fernández, faced devastation as Chile forest fires rapidly engulfed their homes.

The quick spread led to evacuations, leaving Fernández, who had worked his whole life, with nothing.

Shelters were established, and extensive firefighting efforts were deployed, focusing on challenging mountainous terrain and neighborhoods on the edge of Viña del Mar.

Power blackouts were reported, and evacuation efforts encompassed four hospitals and three nursing homes in the Valparaíso region.

The Chile forest fires, exacerbated by El Niño-induced droughts and high temperatures, destroyed bus terminals and caused widespread devastation.

Chile mobilized 19 helicopters and over 450 firefighters to tackle the blazes, primarily in hard-to-reach mountainous areas.

Environmental consequences are severe, with over 17,000 hectares of forests destroyed in Colombia earlier this year due to fires fueled by dry weather.

As Chile mourns the loss of lives and battles the ongoing crisis, international attention is drawn to the urgency of addressing climate-related challenges contributing to the escalating frequency and intensity of such disasters.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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