Forest fires in Chile spread
source: http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Chile_fires_spread_as_police_investigate_origins_999.html
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- JanforGore
- added this
Helicopters fight a massive forest fire affecting the commune of Quillon, in southern Chile's Bio Bio region, some 500 Km south of Santiago, on January 3, 2012. Forest fires in southern Chile, fueled by intense heat and strong winds, advanced further Tuesday after destroying nearly 40,000 hectares (100,000 acres), officials said. The worst of the blazes were concentrated in Chile's Bio Bio region, where about 22,500 hectares have been destroyed, according to Chile's National Emergency Office (Onemi). About 500 people have been evacuated from the area and 162 homes destroyed. The damage prompted the authorities to declare the region a "disaster zone," which will allow residents to receive federal emergency assistance. The Chilean government has asked Brazil for an aircraft that can carry water to extinguish flames.
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Forest fires in southern Chile, fueled by intense heat and strong winds, advanced further Tuesday after destroying nearly 40,000 hectares (100,000 acres), officials said.
President Sebastian Pinera blamed the La Nina weather phenomenon and "global warming" for the lack of rain.
"We still have 20 fires that are active," Pinera told reporters, warning that Chile is facing "an extraordinarily risky and vulnerable" fire season due to dry summer weather.
Interior Minister Rodrigo Hinzpeter said some of the fires might have been set intentionally.
"The probability that they were caused intentionally, unfortunately, is not a probability that we can dismiss," Hinzpeter said.
The worst of the blazes were concentrated in Chile's Bio Bio region, about 500 kilometers (300 miles) south of Santiago, where about 22,500 hectares have been destroyed, according to Office of National Emergencies (ONEMI).
About 500 people have been evacuated from the area and 162 homes destroyed. A 75-year-old man died early Sunday when he refused to leave his home.
The damage prompted the authorities to declare the region a "disaster zone," which will give residents access to federal emergency assistance.
More at the link
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Forest fires in southern Chile, fueled by intense heat and strong winds, advanced further Tuesday after destroying nearly 40,000 hectares (100,000 acres), officials said.
President Sebastian Pinera blamed the La Nina weather phenomenon and "global warming" for the lack of rain.
"We still have 20 fires that are active," Pinera told reporters, warning that Chile is facing "an extraordinarily risky and vulnerable" fire season due to dry summer weather.
Interior Minister Rodrigo Hinzpeter said some of the fires might have been set intentionally.
"The probability that they were caused intentionally, unfortunately, is not a probability that we can dismiss," Hinzpeter said.
The worst of the blazes were concentrated in Chile's Bio Bio region, about 500 kilometers (300 miles) south of Santiago, where about 22,500 hectares have been destroyed, according to Office of National Emergencies (ONEMI).
About 500 people have been evacuated from the area and 162 homes destroyed. A 75-year-old man died early Sunday when he refused to leave his home.
The damage prompted the authorities to declare the region a "disaster zone," which will give residents access to federal emergency assistance.
More at the link
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- tags:
- Chile, Investigation, Forest Fires, Intense Heat, 1 more
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coolplanet
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What can we do to being this to the attention of the average person?
I am just reading your three latest posts and am blown away by the extent of this escalating emergency!
This is not merely "better coverage."
How many more disaster zones do we need before more people wake up? - 5 months ago
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coolplanet
