In Chile, forest fires destroy ‘as much land as in an entire year’

taketonews

A resident extinguishes a fire in the Chilean municipality of Santa Juana. Forest fires have been raging in the South American country for more than a week. At least 23 people have been killed so far.

Burning trees near the town of Purén. At its peak, there were about 250 fires in central and southern Chile. Much of it is now under control.

This cat, covered in ash, was rescued near the city of Santa Juana. The fires started after Chile had to deal with extreme heat in recent times.

A burnt-out piece of land near Santa Juana, about 500 kilometers south of the Chilean capital Santiago. So far, most victims have fallen in that city.

A firefighter at work in Quillon, Concepcion province. Authorities in the South American country said at least 554 people were injured and at least 10 are missing.


Photo Juan Gonzalez/Reuters

Purén, in the Araucania region, from the air. The regions of Biobio, Nuble and Araucania are the hardest hit by the forest fires, all three have been declared a state of emergency.

Locals come to the aid of the fire department in Santa Juana.


Photo Juan Gonzalez/Reuters

A forest fire in Los Venados. It is still very hot in Chile, which makes it difficult to put out the fires.


Photo Cristobal Saavedra Escobar/Reuters

Rosa Munoz’s home in the coastal town of Tomé has been destroyed by a forest fire. Residents of high-risk areas are evacuated. More than 1500 people were left homeless.

A burnt-out car on a road in a forest where the fire has since been extinguished. Wildfires are not uncommon in Chile. But this year is extreme. According to Carolina Tohá, interior minister, as much land has already been burned as normal in an entire year.


Photo Juan Gonzalez/Reuters

A burning house near Santa Juana. Chilean President Gabriel Boric has cut short his vacation to visit the disaster area.

After her village is reduced to ashes, this woman tries to save what she can.

Police officers at work at Santa Juana. Until recently, a forest fire raged at this place, and several people died.


Photo Juan Gonzalez/Reuters

Helicopters are used to fight the forest fires. On Friday, a helicopter crashed in the Araucania region, killing two people, according to authorities.


Photo Photo Juan Gonzalez/Reuters

Two dogs on a burnt-out field near Santa Juana.

When these residents returned to their village, it turned out that their house had not survived the forest fire.


Photo Juan Gonzalez/Reuters

Against the backdrop of the wildfires, a woman walks across a bridge near Renaico, in the Araucania region.

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