A forest fire approaches the town of Dichato in the southern region of Chile, early on February 10, 2023. Photo by JAVIER TORRES / AFP
Chile will impose curfews in parts of the central-south region to maintain order after the worst forest fires in six years scorched about 350,000 hectares (860,000 acres) and killed 24 people.
Curfews are expected to be enforced in the most affected areas of Nuble, Biobio and Araucania from midnight after President Gabriel Boric met with military personnel in the area. To avoid arson attempts, those wanting to buy gasoline in a fuel can will need a special permit from police.
The measures are the latest efforts to contain the blazes and their impact on communities and industries in the region, which is home to vast pine and eucalyptus plantations, orchards of cherries, blueberries and other crops and livestock.
Conspiracy theories abound on who’s to blame for the deadly fires. The government has detained 15 people accused of starting some of the blazes, although only one was being investigated for doing so intentionally.
Fingers have pointed to the environmental effects of the forestry industry. There are no rules for minimum distances between plantations and residential areas, so when fires begin they are hard to control, Marcelo Mena, a former environment minister, said in an interview with Radio Futuro.
Industry association Corma says forestry isn’t to blame and that many fires are intentional.
