Gabriel Boric, Chile’s president, decreed a state of catastrophe due to a massive wildfire around the city of Vina del Mar in the Greater Valparaiso region on Chile’s Pacific coast.
More than 400 houses were burned as the fire rages over 110 hectares, or 270 acres, according to the country’s fire department.
A Vineyard Fire Commander revealed that almost 200 homes have been torched, with the advice given for residents to stay away so as not to interfere with the firefighters' work.
The country's National Forest Corporation (CONAF) said the inferno "remains active with rapid propagation, high intensity and spread of sparks."
In a statement, the National Emergency Office of the Ministry of Interior (Onemi) said: "Due to a forest fire, it is requested to evacuate sectors Puerto Montt, Puerto Aysen, Cabritera, Forestal Alto, and Toma Felipe Camiroaga in the city of Viña del Mar."
In the same vein, at least two people died, a news channel run by Chile’s public broadcaster.
Earlier, the National Office for Emergencies advised residents in some parts of the city to evacuate.
In Chile, mid-December is considered peak fire season, according to Global Forest Watch, which monitors deforestation and forest fires.
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