Chilean Ministers Detail Reconstruction Plan for Valparaíso Region After Devastating Forest Fires

Chilean ministers Montes and Toro have outlined the government's reconstruction plan for the Valparaíso Region following the devastating forest fires that have ravaged the area in recent months. The fires, which have been burning since February, have caused at least 46 deaths, destroyed over 1,100 homes, and affected around 29,000 hectares of land.

President Gabriel Boric has warned that the death toll could worsen as four large fires continue to burn in the Valparaíso region, where firefighters have struggled to control the blazes. Interior Minister Carolina Tohá reported that 92 forest fires were burning across the country, with the most lethal ones in the Valparaíso region. More than 3,000 houses have been destroyed in the region alone.

Thousands of people have been urged to evacuate their homes, while residents in other areas have been told to stay indoors to allow emergency vehicles to move freely. The fires have caused power blackouts and forced the evacuation of four hospitals and three nursing homes in the Valparaíso region. Officials have set up three shelters and deployed 19 helicopters and more than 450 firefighters to battle the blazes.

Why this matters: The forest fires in Chile, particularly in the Valparaíso region, represent one of the worst natural disasters the country has faced since the 2010 earthquake. The widespread destruction and loss of life underscore the urgent need for effective disaster response and recovery efforts to support the affected communities.

As part of the reconstruction plan, the Regional Council (CORE) of Valparaíso has approved more than $497 million for productive development programs to support economic recovery, the reactivation of commercial neighborhoods, and free fairs affected by the mega fire in February. The programs include CORFO's 'Active Fire Emergency Recovery 2024' Program ($300 million) for co-financing infrastructure, enabling spaces, paying salaries, and creating new business plans, as well as SERCOTEC's 'Reactivation of Commercial Neighborhoods Affected by Fire' ($150 million) and 'Productive Support for Free Fairs Affected by Fires' ($47,482,000) programs.

President Boric has declared a two-day period of national mourning and is investigating the possibility that the fires were started deliberately. He has also declared a state of emergency in the affected areas and has asked the Ministry of Defense to deploy more soldiers to assist in the response efforts.

The president of the CORE Tourism Commission, Edith Quiroz, emphasized the importance of supporting the affected people in the communes of Viña del Mar, Quilpué, and Villa Alemana to recover, while the regional governor, Rodrigo Mundaca, stated that the approved funds are for reconstruction work within the framework of the February fires. "The magnitude of the disaster has been characterized as the worst the country has experienced since the 2010 earthquake," Mundaca said, highlighting the severity of the situation and the long road to recovery that lies ahead for the Valparaíso Region.

Key Takeaways

• Devastating forest fires in Chile's Valparaíso region have caused 46 deaths, destroyed 1,100+ homes.
• Fires have affected 29,000 hectares, with 92 active blazes across the country, most in Valparaíso.
• Govt approves $497M for recovery programs to support economic, commercial, and fair reactivation.
• President declares national mourning, state of emergency, and investigates possibility of arson.
• Disaster characterized as worst since 2010 earthquake, highlighting severity of situation and long recovery.