Chile wildfires burnt more than 750 hectares of forest, farmland

• Chile wildfires have burned through more than 750 hectares of forest.
• Homes and forests are destroyed as the country battles a July heatwave.
• Seven national parks are closed temporarily due to the possibility of fresh fires.

In Chile, wildfires have burned through more than 750 hectares of forest, devastating homes and endangering farms and forests as the South American country battles a July heatwave in large portions of the south and center.

According to the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf), a fire that started near the city of Chillan, around 400 kilometers (250 miles) from Santiago, has so far consumed an area about three times the size of Monaco.

Another 200 hectares of the Nuble region have also been destroyed, it was noted.

“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.”

The Interior Ministry of Chile issued a red alert for the more southern Nuble and Biobio regions as it seeks additional financing to put out the fires in more heavily forested and agriculturally productive areas.

Due to the possibility of fresh fires, the ministry has also temporarily closed seven national parks in Santiago and other of Chile’s southern provinces.

The Puelche, a phenomenon of hot, dry wind that is anticipated to pass over central and southern Chile soon, is another worry for the administration because it could pose additional difficulties in a region where temperatures have already reached 42°C (108°F).

Esteban Valenzuela, the agriculture minister, told reporters, “It is a very complex combination.”

Also Read

Central Nebraska: Fast-moving wildfire closes highway, forces evacuations

The Bovee Fire began in the Bessey Ranger District Sunday afternoon. Park...