2024 Chile wildfires facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 2024 Chile wildfires |
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| Location |
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| Statistics | |
| Total fires | 165 |
| Total area | 6,800 hectares |
| Cost | $4.39 billion (estimated) |
| Date(s) | 1–5 February 2024 |
| Cause | Climate change:
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| Buildings destroyed | 14,000+ |
| Deaths | 131+ |
| Missing people | 370+ |
In February 2024, many wildfires started in Chile. They affected several parts of the country. The areas most hit included Valparaíso, O'Higgins, and Maule. The worst fires were in the Valparaíso Region.
The Chilean government called these fires the worst disaster since the 2010 Chile earthquake. They announced two days of national mourning. This was a time for the country to remember those who were lost.
Contents
What Caused the Fires?
In early February, there were 162 forest fires across central and southern Chile. The weather was very hot, reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). This extreme heat was made worse by a weather pattern called El Niño. Also, Chile has been in a "mega-drought" for the past ten years. This means there has been very little rain.
These conditions made the land very dry. Dry land burns easily. Over 43,000 hectares of land were burned. A hectare is about the size of two football fields. By February 4, authorities had controlled 43 fires. But 34 fires were still burning.
Chile's President, Gabriel Boric, thought some fires might have been started on purpose. The governor of the Valparaíso Region, Rodrigo Mundaca, agreed with this idea.
Before the Main Fires
Even before February, Chile was dealing with fires. In January 2024, two forest fires caused warnings. One was in Lonquimay and another in Puerto Montt.
A fire called "Antiquereo 2" started on January 22. It burned 35 hectares before it was stopped. Another fire in Florida spread to Quillón. Firefighters worked together to put it out.
A big heatwave hit central Chile in late January. Temperatures were much higher than usual. This made the risk of wildfires very high. The weather service warned people about the heat.
Fires by Region
The wildfires spread across many regions of Chile. Each area faced its own challenges.
Valparaíso Region Fires
The Valparaíso Region had the deadliest fires. Thousands of people were told to leave their homes for safety.
On February 2, a fire started near Valparaíso. It quickly grew from one to five hectares. Later, more fires broke out in the Lago Peñuelas National Reserve. These fires spread very fast. They even stopped traffic on major roads.
Another fire started in Lo Moscoso. It grew to 80 hectares. People in nearby towns like Villa Alemana had to evacuate. By the end of the day, over 6,200 hectares had burned in the region. Many provinces were put on high alert.
O'Higgins Region Fires
On January 31, fires started in the O'Higgins Region. The "Maitén" fire threatened homes. People in several towns, like La Patagüilla and El Maitén, were told to evacuate.
By February 2, the situation became very serious. The whole region was put on a "Red Alert." This meant all available help was needed to fight the fires. More towns had to evacuate. By the end of the day, 3,455 hectares were destroyed.
Maule Region Fires
On February 1, fires in Pencahue and Curepto caused a "Yellow Alert." A fire called "Hijuela 3 Las Palmas" burned 650 hectares. It was close to important communication towers.
The next day, the alert for Curepto, Pencahue, and Sagrada Familia became a "Red Alert." The "Hijuela 3 Las Palmas" fire grew to 850 hectares. It was very dangerous because it was near homes. Another fire, "Santa Laura," started in Curicó. It grew quickly, and the alert for Curicó also turned red.
Many firefighters and special teams helped. They used planes and helicopters to fight the fires. Even though the "Santa Laura" fire was controlled, resources stayed ready for any new problems.
Biobío Region Fires
On February 2, a "Red Alert" was declared for Mulchén. This was due to the "Mininco VIII" forest fire. This fire was close to homes and behaved very dangerously. Firefighters worked hard to control it. By January 3, the fire was under control, and the alert was canceled.
Araucanía Region Fires
On February 3, the commune of Galvarino was put on a "Red Alert." Two fires, "Colonia Suiza" and "Nilpe 4," were burning there.
Los Lagos Region Fires
A fire started in the Los Lagos Region on January 26. It was called the "Camino San Antonio" fire. It quickly grew, and a "Red Alert" was issued. This meant many resources were sent to fight the fire.
The fire continued to be severe for days. It burned over 800 hectares. People had to leave their homes for a short time. Temporary shelters were set up. Firefighters, special teams, and even large Hercules C-130 planes worked together. They fought the fire from the ground and the air.
Impact and Damage
The fires caused a lot of damage and sadness. A total of 131 people died. Many homes were destroyed, especially in Viña del Mar and Quilpué. At least 14,000 houses were affected.
Over 370 people were reported missing in the Viña del Mar area. About 1,600 people had to leave their homes. These fires were the deadliest in Chile's history. They were also the worst disaster since the 2010 earthquake.
In Valparaíso, hospitals and nursing homes had to be emptied. Two bus stations were destroyed. The city's botanical garden, a beautiful place founded in 1931, was also destroyed. President Gabriel Boric warned that the number of deaths might still go up.
How People Responded
Many people and groups offered help and support.
The Viña del Mar Festival, a big music event, canceled its opening party. This was to show respect for the victims. Singers like Alejandro Sanz and Pablo Alborán sent messages of support. They also announced they would donate money.
The government of Mexico sent a team of 30 firefighters. They also sent 127 army and air force members. They brought 26 tons of food. US President Joe Biden said the United States was ready to help Chile. Pope Francis asked people to pray for those affected. The United Nations also offered help.
Images for kids
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A view of the wildfires in Chile.
See also
In Spanish: Incendios forestales en Chile de 2024 para niños
