26 Mar 2018 | 09:40 AM UTC
Chile: Wildfires in Valparaíso region March 26 /update 5
Red alerts in place March 26 due to forest fires in Santo Domingo and Quilpué communes; lower alert for entire Valparaíso region
Event
Red alerts issued by the National Emergency Office (ONEMI) - the highest level - remain in place for the communes of Santo Domingo and Quilpué (Valparaíso region) due to various ongoing wildfires as of Monday, March 26. 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).
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.
