Santiago: Forest fires with “extreme behavior” cover the Chilean capital in smoke

The Chilean health authority recommended this Tuesday to the inhabitants of Santiago close the windows and don’t go out due to a cloud of smoke that covers the city, a phenomenon caused by a forest fire of “extreme behavior, with wind, fuel and slope alignment” that affects the area of Curacaví50 kilometers from the center of the capital, and another in the commune of St Bernard.

So far, according to reports from National Forestry CorporationThe incidents in the region consumed more than 125.5 hectares and are still being fought by emergency teams, one of which is at risk of expanding into populated areas.

Sad and painful combination: unbreathable air and loss of our native vegetation.

This is going from bad to worse for our ecosystems.

(Santiago de Chile under the smoke of forest fires) pic.twitter.com/HcLC7OOxdH

-Gonzalo Stierling (@gstierling) December 19, 2023

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“We are observing a light cloud of smoke in the city of Santiago. This is due to two ongoing fires, one in the Cost bellyin the commune of Curacavíwhich presents extreme behavior, advancing quite quickly due to the wind, and there is also another smaller fire, with around five hectares, in St Bernardsector Barrançon“, said the regional ministerial secretary (Seremi) of the Environment, Sonia Reis.

“We ask everyone to remain calm. We are providing air quality information and taking precautions, especially for everyone close to the fire.“added the authority.

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In turn, the Ministry of Health, Gonzalo Soto, called to avoid physical activity; Close doors and windows to prevent smoke from entering the house, and cover the spaces between the floor and the door with damp cloths.

Soto stressed that risk groups such as boys, girls, the elderly or asthmatics should avoid leaving home or directly exposing themselves to smoke.

Source: Elcomercio

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I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.