Chile: Wildfire in Quilpué (Valparaíso region) March 8

Event

The National Emergency Office (ONEMI) issued a red alert - the highest level - for the commune of Quilpué just after midnight (local time) on Thursday, March 8, due to an ongoing wildfire. The commune is located in the Valparaíso region (Marga Marga province). As of early Thursday (local time), the so-called Fundo Las Piedras fire had burned 17 hectares (7 acres) of fields and scrubland. 

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