Chan Chan (forest) facts for kids
Chan Chan was once a very thick forest in Southern Chile. It was located between the cities of Osorno and La Unión. This forest was intentionally set on fire in the summer of 1851.
Why Was Chan Chan Forest Burned?
The order to burn the forest came from Vicente Pérez Rosales. He was a Chilean agent in charge of colonization. This meant he helped people move to and settle new lands. Clearing forests made it easier for new settlers to build farms and towns.
Who Started the Fire?
A local Huilliche man named Pichi Juan was given the job. He started fires in many different places across the forest. It is said that Pichi Juan barely escaped the flames. He hid inside the hollow trunk of a large Nothofagus dombeyi tree.
The Big Fire of 1851
The fire at Chan Chan forest lasted for about three months. It was a huge blaze! For weeks, the nearby city of Valdivia was covered in "dense smoke." Imagine living under a thick cloud of smoke for so long!
Even after this massive fire and many other clearings, Vicente Pérez Rosales still believed Southern Chile was mostly covered in forests by 1859. By then, he was the Minister of Colonization.
See Also
In Spanish: Selva de Chan Chan para niños
