Chile’s President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in a third region ravaged by wildfires as the death toll in the South American country climbed to 16.
(Bloomberg) — Chile’s President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in a third region ravaged by wildfires as the death toll in the South American country climbed to 16.
The fires in the south and central parts of the country have been fanned by a heat wave and dry winds, officials said. Boric said on Saturday he requested more help fighting the blazes from the neighboring countries of Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. He also thanked Argentine President Alberto Fernandez for pledging aid.
“On top of rescuers, we’ll receive machinery. We’re working different countries for help in this emergency,” Boric tweeted.
A total of 16 people have died as result of the fires, according to data gathered by the country’s National Disaster Prevention and Response Service. More than 14 people have been injured, almost 100 houses have been destroyed and more than 1,400 people have been evacuated from their homes, the disaster response service said.
Eighty wildfires out of a total of 251 fires are active, with 151 under control, it said.
The wildfires are the latest example of extreme weather, and its damaging effects, fueled by climate change.
The interior ministry announced Saturday a third emergency order in Araucania. The designation will enable the country to fight the wildfires with all tools available, it said in a tweet. The regions of Nuble and Biobio are also under emergency.
The government is looking for contracts to widen Chile’s air fleet to attend the fires, Interior minister Carolina Toha said, according to El Mercurio.
Forestry companies agreed to close temporarily some operations in central and southern Chile this week. The government also ordered the closure of National Parks between Santiago and Aysen as a precaution.
More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
©2023 Bloomberg L.P.