After wreaking havoc in Africa and Australia, forest fires engulf Chilean city of Valparaiso

Valparaiso, December 25: The year 2019 can be called as the ‘year of forest fires’. After wreaking havoc in Amazon basin in Africa, and Australia, a destructive forest fire has broken out in Chile.

 

 

 

At least 120 houses have been destroyed by fast moving forest fires in the Chilean city of Valparaíso, prompting a mass evacuation. The government has declared a red alert due to a raging fire in the port city. The National Forestry Commission has said that at least 100 hectares (250 acres) were burned as people were evacuated from the area.

 

The inferno began in a forested area along hills overlooking the city, before spreading to a poor neighborhood. All the city's firefighters have been deployed to tackle the fires in the Rocuant and San Roque areas. Power was cut to about 90,000 customers in the area as a precautionary measure.

 

 

 

The National Forestry Commission of the Agriculture Ministry said on Twitter that at least 100 hectares (250 acres) were burned by afternoon. Several districts in the west of the capital have been evacuated, the fire department said on Twitter. Agriculture Minister Antonio Walker said late in the day that at least 120 homes had been affected by the fire.

 

Valparaíso is a port city in central Chile full of vividly painted houses that line the winding hillsides. The old town with its historic houses, steep streets and stairs is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

 

 

Nearly 120 hectares (445 acres) of grassland have already been ravaged by the fires.