Backfires in the South American nation of Chile have killed an estimated seven people as blazes tear across wide swathes of timbers and cropland, incinerating homes. At least 13 people were reported dead as of Friday night as a result of the further than 150 backfires burning across Chile that have destroyed homes and thousands of acres of timber while the South American country is in the midst of a scorching heat surge. Four of the deaths involved two separate vehicles in the Biobío region, around 560 kilometers (348 long hauls) south of the capital of Santiago.
“In one case they were burned because they were hit by the fire,” Interior Minister Carolina Tohá said. In the other case, she said, the victims died in a crash, “presumably trying to escape the fire”. The government has declared a state of catastrophe in Biobio and the neighbouring region of Nuble, another area hit hard by the fires. Toha said the region of La Araucania was also floundering to contain the blazes, amid strong winds and high temperatures fuelled by Chile’s withering heat surge. The heat surge hitting Chile is set to continue with high temperatures and strong winds that could make the backfires more gruelling. On Friday, rainfall forecasts temperatures of further than 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) in Nuble’s capital of Chillan. Chile’s President Gabriel Boric cut his holiday short to visit affected areas, saying the “full force of the state will be stationed” to control the blazes and help victims. Some families sought retreat in harbors, according to Chilean disaster agency Cenapred.
Fires disintegrated business on roadways, and multitudinous agreements have been vacated. Weather variations on Friday forecast temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius) in Noble’s capital, Chillan, with strong winds that risked worsening fire conditions.