Chile heatwave threatens to worsen wildfires, authorities warn

A heatwave is threatening further wildfires in Chile’s south-central region, authorities have warned, as more than two dozen people have been killed due to the devastating blazes.

High temperatures are expected until Friday and could rise above 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) in the central Maule and Nuble regions, “creating a very complex situation in terms of weather”, the deputy interior minister, Manuel Monsalve, said on Tuesday.

“A very complex climate situation can arise,” said Monsalve, urging teams to be “prepared for any eventuality”.

Fires have ravaged more than 290,000 hectares (716,606 acres) across the South American nation so far, killing at least 26 people and destroying more than 1,000 houses, leaving thousands homeless.

Approximately 5,600 firefighters, mostly volunteers, are actively battling 81 priority blazes countrywide out of 301 still burning, the AFP news agency reported, citing Chilean authorities.

Air quality in the affected areas also has deteriorated significantly because of the smoke from the fires, said health minister Ximena Aguilera.

Nearly 2,000 people have been injured in a week of blazes in the regions of Biobio, La Araucania and Nuble, where a state of emergency has been in place.

Monsalve, the deputy interior minister, said on Tuesday that fire brigades from Colombia and Mexico were arriving to help. He added that 15 people had been arrested for possible links to starting the fires over activities including welding and burning animal wool.