Chile forest fires spreads overnight, burring thousands of homes with 24 casualties

• The forest fires in south-central Chile have killed 24 people.
• The impacted area is 294,058 hectares (726,633.14 acres).
• 17 people have been arrested for possible involvement in starting the fires.

After blazing overnight, forest fires that have destroyed thousands of homes killed 24 people and injured tens of thousands in south-central Chile engulfed fresh regions on Wednesday.

According to Chilean authorities, the impacted area is now 294,058 hectares (726,633.14 acres), which is about equivalent to Singapore’s size.

Authorities said that 2,180 people had been hurt and 1,180 homes had been demolished, with most of the casualties and damage occurring in the south-central Biobio, Araucania, and Uble regions.

“The 2011 wildfire burnt down my house, all the trees, everything,” Enrique Narvaez told Reuters as he watched firefighters in Quillon work to quench the blaze near his home. “I don’t want to go through the same again now.”

Animals harmed by the flames were taken care of in Concepcion, the regional capital of the Biobio and one of Chile’s biggest cities.

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Interior Minister Carolina Toha stated at a briefing that there was a national shortage of water tanks and added, “There is a massive public effort going on.”

“We request and we demand that all providers with this type of equipment make them available,” she said. “There is a priority to get water to those affected.”

Gabriel Boric, the president of Chile, reported having spoken with Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the president of Brazil, who provided $672,000 in assistance and was backed by an air force jet with personnel, equipment, and expertise in firefighting.

A Chilean minister had announced the assistance of international brigades from Colombia and Mexico the day prior and reported the arrest of 17 people for possible involvement in starting the fires, such as welding or clothing burning.

He issued a warning that this week’s expected high temperatures could make matters worse.

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