Chile: Wildfires in Valparaíso region March 19 /update 4

Event

Red wildfire alerts issued by the National Emergency Office (ONEMI) - the highest level - are in place for the communes of Casablanca and Cartagena (Valparaíso region) as of Monday, March 19. A lower level alert remains in effect for the rest of the Valparaíso region due to the risk of further fires breaking out in the coming hours and days (with the exception of Juan Fernández commune and Easter Island). As of late Sunday, the so-called Fundo Puro Caballo fire had burned more than 85 hectares (210 acres) of field and scrub land in Casablanca.

Context

Forest fires are relatively common in Chile during the summer months. The country was devastated by a string of major forest fires in January 2017, which resulted in the deaths of 11 people as well as the destruction of around 1500 houses and over 580,000 hectares (1.4 million acres).

Advice

Individuals in the areas are advised to keep abreast of the situation and adhere to any instructions issued by the local authorities.