Chile decrees state of catastrophe in Viña del Mar due to uncontrolled fire

The Chilean government declared today, Friday, a state of catastrophe in the coastal town of Viña del Mar, in the region of Valparaíso, due to a forest fire advancing to the city.

“I have instructed to decree a state of constitutional exception of catastrophe to have all the necessary tools to fight the fires affecting Viña del Mar,” said via Twitter the president of Chile, Gabriel Boric.

“We will not leave them alone,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Chilean Undersecretary of the Interior, Manuel Monsalve, reported the death of one person from the flames, as well as 200 houses burned and 110 hectares destroyed.

The National Emergency Office (Onemi) ordered the evacuation of at least five sectors of the city, which collapsed the main avenues of the well-known seaside resort.

The authorities have arranged shelters and assistance centers for those affected by the fire, which was “man-made”, said the National Forestry Corporation executive director, Christian Little.

President Boric suspended his activities scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, to travel to the area, located some 120 kilometers from the capital Santiago.