The government of Chile has imposed a mandatory curfew from today in the regions of Biobío, Ñuble and La Araucanía (center) due to the spate of wildfires that have already claimed 24 deaths.
The measure was taken after a meeting between the authorities and civil protection chiefs in each region and aims to “ensure the safety of families affected by the emergency,” the Chilean president said.
Speaking to the press, Gabriel Boric said the measure was discussed in a “key region containing the commanders-in-chief of the three branches of the Armed Forces and the Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff”.
“We talked, we measured the pros and cons, and it is the chiefs of civil defense who will decide concretely in which provinces and at what times”added the governor.
Boric also announced the approval of a decree for the requisition of tools, machines and even water to fight the fires.
“We are not here to take pictures but to work and in that sense we have the whole government, its authorities and we have the municipal and regional authorities working together”underlined the chairman.
Chile continues to experience a period of high temperatures, with red alerts in the regions of Biobío, Ñuble and La Araucanía (center), as well as several places in the regions of Maule, Los Ríos and Los Lagos (south).
Hundreds of soldiers are working to fight the fires, with the participation of personnel and equipment from other countries in Latin America and outside the region.
Brazil’s government on Wednesday announced it would send humanitarian aid to Chile because of the wildfires ravaging the country.
According to a presidency press release, Brazil’s President, Lula da Silva, has authorized the sending of a Brazilian Air Force (FAB) aircraft equipped to fight fires, and its team, in addition to vehicles, equipment and materials. .
This contingent will reinforce the action of 60 rescue workers made available by the Ministries of Justice and Public Security (MJSP) and of Environment and Climate Change (MMA). The Brazilian government will also provide six specialists “in fire behavior”.
Also on Wednesday, Foreign Minister João Gomes Cravinho announced that a Portuguese mission would be leaving on Friday to help fight forest fires in Chile.
The nearly 300 wildfires that have hit central and southern Chile have left at least 24 dead, burned nearly 300,000 acres and destroyed 1,100 homes, displacing 3,000 people.
Source: DN
