Massive fires in Chile

Drought and wildfires in a normally wet area of Chile? Again Mother Nature has something to say...

Chile's president declares 'catastrophe zones'

Chile's President Sebastian Pinera has declared "catastrophe zones" in three regions devastated by wildfires that have killed one man, destroyed more than a hundred homes, and burned thousands of hectares of forest. 

A 23-year-old Israeli tourist suspected of accidentally starting the fire in the National Park could face prison time if convicted.

Pinera has however vowed to hunt down other suspects.

For a major event in the Pacific ring this hasn’t attracted much attention in the New Zealand media

Chilean forest fires claim life

NZ Herald, 

4 January, 2011

A new forest fire has claimed one life in southern Chile just hours after firefighters tamed a huge blaze that consumed 13,000ha in Patagonia.

The new inferno already has consumed some 8000ha in the commune of Quillon in southern Chile's Biobio region, according to officials.

A 75-year-old man who refused warnings to leave his home died yesterday.