Chile: Massive Forest Fire Hits Valparaiso, 80 Homes Affected

Firemen are battling a massive forest fire in Valparaiso, Chile. The fires are concentrated in the neighborhoods of Cuesta Colorada, Cerro Rocuant, La Isla, Cerro San Roque

80 homes, at least, have been reported affected so far, with a fire coverage of over 40 hectares of grassland, scrubland and woodlands respectively. It should be noted that these fires are close to inhabited areas.

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It is expected that the number of dwellings affected could increase in the next few hours due to the strong wind and the rapid advance of the fire. The fire has also cut power to nearly 90 thousand homes in Valparaiso.

The port town is plagued by wildfires most years during the summer due to high temperatures,
drought, gusty winds and lack of fire prevention maintenance on its hills.

Back in September 2019 Chilean President Sebastian Piñera had declared a state of emergency in the city as it suffered its driest winter in sixty years.