2023 Chile wildfires explained

2023 Chile wildfires
Date:30 January 2023–20 February 2023
Total Fires:407 (256 active, 151 contained as of 18 February)[1]
Total Area:430000hectare
Buildings:1,180+ homes destroyed[2]
Injuries:2,180
Cause:Heatwaves, drought, suspected arson
Fatalities:26

Starting on 30 January 2023, a series of wildfires began in the South American country of Chile. By early February, the fires had developed into a large outbreak of at least 406 individual fires, several dozen of which were classified as "red alert fires". The fires burned more than 430000hectare and resulted in the loss of 24 lives, prompting the government to declare a state of emergency in multiple regions of the country.

Background and cause

See main article: Drought in Chile.

Chile has been suffering from a megadrought since 2010 – the worst for a thousand years.[3] These drought conditions exacerbate summer fires because the vegetation becomes more flammable.

Since 30 January 2023, the Ñuble region has maintained a preventive early warning due to the threat of forest fires as a result of high temperatures.[4] The fires coincided with an unprecedented heat wave in the south of the country, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius in southern areas.[5] [6]

René Garreaud from the University of Chile said the extremely high temperatures are driven by warm, naturally-recurring Puelche winds blowing from the east, superimposed on a warmer climate.[7] The interior minister, Manuel Monsalve, confirmed that 17 people had been arrested for possibly starting fires by such activities as welding or burning wool.

While the wildfires may have been directly caused by human elements, the underlying drought conditions which have contributed to the severity of the wildfires have been attributed to a mix of worsening climate change conditions and the Pacific weather pattern known as La Niña.[8] Though South America has a long history of drought, Chile is among the most vulnerable to the impacts of extreme weather events, changes in seasonal temperatures and rainfall, wildfires, and sea-level rise (flooding).[9] Poor territorial planning has been blamed for the ease of spread of the wildfires.[10]

In late August 2022, Christián Little, director of National Forest Corporation (CONAF), explained in the Chilean Congress that there was a major risk of wildfires, large and simultaneous, from October 2022 to January 2023.[11] It was argued that while 2022 had been a year with significant rains this had contributed to growth of grass that could produce fires in the dry season. The agriculture committee of the congress was updated by CONAF with a new harsher forecast in January 2023.[11]

According to an estimate of CONAF about 41% of the wildfires in Ñuble, Biobío and Araucanía regions, from July 2022 to late February 2023, have been man-made and intentional.[12] [13] [14] On a national level during the same period 25% of wildfires are thought by CONAF to be intentional.[12] [15]

The eventual spread of fires by wildlife such as rabbits-on-fire has been mentioned by officials but knowledge about this is mainly based on anecdotes and forest experts doubt the efficiency and relevance of this method of spread as rabbits-on-fire are likely move only a few meters before perishing or going out.[16] [17] [10]

As of 18 February, 256 fires were burning across the country while a further 151 were under control. After a period of reprieve, fires began reigniting on 18 February in south-central Chile.[1] By 20 February, the National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (Senapred) announced that 173 foci had been extinguished, but that 70 were still active.[18]

Various specialists have pointed out the "human" and political causes of the fires that recurrently strike Chile. In 1974, the military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet signed a decree designed to subsidise the intensive forestry industry and the monoculture of eucalyptus - a highly inflammable species - in the centre and south of the country.

The NGO Bosque Nativo deplores "the great deficiencies in the management of these monocultures. The majority of plantations are in the hands of two large industrial companies" and points to "a lack of control over these forestry companies. This would allow the state to guarantee sustainable management of these plantations, taking into account economic, social and environmental aspects. The regulation of the real estate sector, accused of taking advantage of the fires to develop, is also demanded by several NGOs. President Gabriel Boric has asked parliamentarians to urgently examine a draft law aimed at banning construction on burnt land for at least 30 years.[19]

In 2017, central and southern Chile had already been hit by very large fires, with eleven deaths and 467,000 hectares burnt. Following these fires, the Centre for Climate and Resilience Sciences (CR2) published a report in 2020 recommending regulation of the forestry industry: "In a climate change scenario that favours an increase in the frequency, extent and intensity of fires, [...] it is very important to generate policies aimed at the control of invasive alien species [mainly pines and eucalyptus] and the restoration of native ecosystems to reduce the probability of catastrophic events."

Impacts

Casualties

The Chilean government has reported at least 24 fatalities from the February wildfire outbreak,[1] at least 11 of them in the town of Santa Juana in Biobío. Two of the other fatalities occurred when an emergency services helicopter crashed on 3 February, killing its pilot and a mechanic, and a third occurred when a firefighter was struck by a truck while working an incident.[20] [21] At least three people were severely injured by a fire on 18 February.[1]

Political response

In February, Chile's interior ministry declared states of emergency in three regions: La Araucanía, Biobío, and Ñuble.[22] Chilean President Gabriel Boric requested aid from neighboring countries Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay.[23]

President Gabriel Borić declared a national emergency, addressing the nation: "The protection of families is our priority. We are working in coordination with local and national authorities to fight the forest fires that affect the Maule, Ñuble, Biobío and La Araucanía regions."[24]

Government spokesperson Camila Vallejo called on the private world to continue collaborating in dealing with the catastrophic situation resulting from the fires that are taking place in the Ñuble, Bío Bío, and La Araucanía regions.[25]

Damage

At least 800 homes have been destroyed by the fires, according to the Chilean government.[26] Almost 300,000 hectares burned in the regions of Maule, Ñuble, Biobío and Araucanía.[27] Per a report from Health Minister Ximena Aguilera, air quality in the affected areas has significantly deteriorated due to the smoke from the fires.[28] On 7 February 2023, smoke from the fires drifted over the capital, Santiago. Chile's massive pulp and paper company CMPC confirmed that over 10,000 hectares of its plantations have been affected by the fires and some of its processing plants' operations had been halted.[28] Chilean pulp and wood panel maker Arauco estimates a $50 million hit due to the fires.[29]

Firefighting

A total of around 5,600 firefighters and volunteers are fighting against fires across multiple regions, and a DC-10 air tanker from the United States arrived in the country to join the firefighters. The craft is capable of dropping 36,000 liters of water. In Chile, paid, professional firefighters called "brigadistas" concentrate on forest fires while the rest are all volunteers, including those who fight city blazes.[30]

Several countries provided assistance to Chile to fight against the wildfires:[31] [32]

Sent 40 brigade members, 15 trucks and a helicopter.

Logistical support through brigade members.

sent a plane and a contingent to put out the forest fires.

Logistical support through brigade members.

The Government of Spain sent an A330 plane and 50 brigade members.

Financial support of 50 thousand dollars.

Two military planes with about 300 volunteers

Several helicopters to fight fires.

Sent 60 brigade members.

Sent more than 250 firefighters, coordinators and medical staff.

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Reuters. 18 February 2023. 21 February 2023. Wildfires in Chile raise 'great concern', says minister.
  2. News: Reuters. 10 February 2023. 22 February 2023. Wildfires in Chile raise 'great concern', says minister.
  3. Web site: 7 February 2023 . Fires Blaze Through South-Central Chile . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230210065121/https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/150945/fires-blaze-through-south-central-chile . 10 February 2023 . 10 February 2023 . . . en.
  4. Web site: González . Antonio . 2 February 2023 . Ñuble: incendios forestales en Chillán, Quillón y Quirihue arrasan con más de 740 hectáreas . Ñuble: forest fires in Chillán, Quillón and Quirihue devastate more than 740 hectares . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230203215400/https://www.biobiochile.cl/noticias/nacional/region-de-nuble/2023/02/02/nuble-incendios-forestales-en-chillan-quillon-y-quirihue-arrasan-con-mas-de-740-hectareas.shtml . 3 February 2023 . 4 February 2023 . Radio Biobío.
  5. News: 5 February 2023 . Chile wildfires spread as death toll rises . . live . 5 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230205093043/https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2023/2/5/photos-chile-wildfires-spread-as-death-toll-rises . 5 February 2023.
  6. News: 6 February 2023 . Chile's president urges unity amid battle to contain fatal fires . . live . 6 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230206183050/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/2/6/chiles-president-urges-unity-amid-battle-to-contain-fatal-fires . 6 February 2023.
  7. News: Dinneen . James . 7 February 2023 . Wildfires burning in Chile are among the deadliest in country's record . . live . 7 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230207235259/https://www.newscientist.com/article/2358418-wildfires-burning-in-chile-are-among-the-deadliest-in-countrys-record/ . 7 February 2023.
  8. Web site: Osborn . Catherine . 10 February 2023 . Climate Change Looms Behind South America's Heat Wave . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230213223856/https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/02/10/chile-wildfires-heat-wave-climate-change-south-america-chinese-balloons/ . 13 February 2023 . 2023-02-15 . . en-US.
  9. Web site: World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221127191008/https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/ . 27 November 2022 . 2023-02-15 . Climate Change Knowledge Portal . . en.
  10. News: Conejos en la propagación del fuego: Qué dicen los expertos sobre la declaración del ministro Montes . 2023-02-23 . 2023-02-26 . . Spanish.
  11. News: Gálvez . Mario . 2023-02-16 . Extrema voracidad y propagación de los incendios: Los antecedentes que se expusieron en el Congreso 5 meses antes de la tragedia . Spanish . Extreme voracity and spread of fires: The background that was exposed in Congress 5 months before the tragedy . . 2023-02-17.
  12. News: Chile: tres semanas en lucha contra las llamas . Laborde . Antonia . 2023-02-26 . 2023-02-26 . . Spanish.
  13. News: La intencionalidad de los incendios en el sur de Chile es del 40 por ciento . 2023-02-22 . 2023-02-26 . . Spanish.
  14. News: Organismo forestal de Chile dice que la intencionalidad de incendios es del 41% . 2023-02-26 . . Spanish.
  15. News: Los incendios en el sur de Chile siguen fuera de control: el 25% son intencionales . Torres . Cristián . 2023-02-21 . 2023-02-26 . . Spanish.
  16. News: Jerez . Sara . 2023-02-23 . 'Es cierto': Experto confirma que conejos y otros animales en llamas sí pueden propagar incendios . Spanish . 'It is true': Expert confirms that rabbits and other animals on fire can spread fires . . 2023-02-23.
  17. News: del Mar Parra . Maria . 2023-02-23 . Experto forestal: 'Los conejos no son un agente significativo de propagación de incendios' . Spanish . Forestry expert: 'Rabbits are not a significant agent of fire spread' . El Desconcierto . 2023-02-23.
  18. News: Silva . Marcelo . 20 February 2023 . Senapred informa que incendios forestales disminuyeron a 70 y 173 han sido controlados . Spanish . Senapred reports that forest fires decreased to 70 and 173 have been controlled . . 2023-02-20.
  19. Web site: Marion Esnault . Mégafeux au Chili : la faute aux monocultures de pins . Reporterre .
  20. News: Cambero . Fabian . A. Ramos Miranda . Natalia . 4 February 2022 . Firefighters battle dozens of wildfires in Chile, death toll at 22 . . live . 4 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230204180726/https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/firefighters-battle-dozens-wildfires-chile-emergency-extended-2023-02-04/ . 4 February 2023.
  21. News: 4 February 2023 . 13 dead in Chile amid struggle to contain raging wildfires . . 4 February 2023 . 3 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230203213124/https://apnews.com/article/wildfires-caribbean-chile-santiago-climate-and-environment-41c906f2059ec534e2d7d1e55916b413 . live .
  22. Web site: 4 February 2023 . Chile widens state of emergency as raging wildfires leave at least 13 dead . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230203224329/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/03/chile-wildfires-state-of-emergency . 3 February 2023 . 4 February 2023 . . en.
  23. News: Zerpa . Fabiola . 4 February 2023 . Chile Widens Wildfire Emergency as Death Toll Climbs to 16 . . 4 February 2023 . 15 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230215233723/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-02-04/chile-wildfires-death-toll-rises-as-state-of-emergency-expands . live .
  24. Web site: Vera . Diego . 2 February 2023 . Boric habla de incendios en zona centro-sur desde sus vacaciones: 'Dispondremos de todos los recursos' . Boric talks about fires in the central-south zone since his vacation: 'We will have all the resources' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230203193848/https://www.biobiochile.cl/noticias/nacional/chile/2023/02/02/boric-habla-de-incendios-en-zona-centro-sur-desde-sus-vacaciones-dispondremos-de-todos-los-recursos.shtml . 3 February 2023 . 4 February 2023 . Radio Biobío.
  25. Web site: Valenzuela . Pola . 5 February 2023 . 'No es sólo tarea del Estado': Ministra Vallejo pide colaboración a privados en incendios forestales . 'It is not only the task of the State': Minister Vallejo asks for private collaboration in forest fires . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230205155100/https://www.biobiochile.cl/noticias/nacional/chile/2023/02/05/no-es-solo-tarea-del-estado-ministra-vallejos-pide-colaboracion-a-privados-en-incendios-forestales.shtml . 5 February 2023 . 5 February 2023 . Radio Biobío.
  26. News: Torres . Javier . Schwarze . Pedro . 5 February 2023 . Chile forest fire toll rises, hundreds left homeless . . live . 6 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230206002828/https://phys.org/news/2023-02-chile-forest-toll-hundreds-left.html . 6 February 2023.
  27. News: Buschschlüter . Vanessa . 8 February 2023 . Chile forest fires: Heatwave puts new regions at risk . . live . 8 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230208140917/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-64568379 . 8 February 2023.
  28. News: Alvarado . Ivan . 8 February 2023 . Chile heat wave could further fan the flames of deadly wildfires . . live . 8 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230207224852/https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/chile-heat-wave-could-further-fan-flames-deadly-wildfires-2023-02-07/ . 7 February 2023.
  29. News: 1 March 2023 . Chile's Arauco warns of $50 million hit from wildfires. . 12 April 2023.
  30. News: Rojas . Pablo . Schwarze . Pedro . 7 February 2023 . New areas under threat as Chile fires rage and mercury rises . . live . 7 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230208094539/https://phys.org/news/2023-02-areas-threat-chile-rage-mercury.html . 8 February 2023.
  31. Web site: Riquelme . Javiera . 5 February 2023 . Apoyo logístico y monetario: Los detalles de la cooperación internacional que comienza a llegar esta noche por incendios . Logistical and monetary support: The details of the international cooperation that begins to arrive tonight due to fires . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230206083616/https://www.emol.com/noticias/Nacional/2023/02/05/1085938/ayuda-internacional-incendios-forestales.html . 6 February 2023 . 8 February 2023 . Emol.
  32. Web site: Press corner . 2023-02-17 . . en.

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