NOT good news for Valpariso

[flamomo]

4 dead in Chile forest fire; 500 homes destroyed

 

© AP Photo: Luis Hidalgo

 

3 hr ago | By EVA VERGARA of Associated Press

 

SANTIAGO, Chile — A large forest fire raging in the Chilean port city of Valparaiso has killed at least four people and destroyed 500 homes, officials said Sunday. Thousands of people have been evacuated, including more than 200 female inmates at a prison.

Firefighters were having difficulty combating the blaze because of the topography of the city, which is surrounded by dozens of steep hills where most people live.

"This is the worst disaster I have seen," regional governor Ricardo Bravo said. "Now we fear that the fire will spread to the center of the city, which would increase the severity of the emergency."

President Michelle Bachelet has declared the city of 250,000 people a catastrophe zone, which puts the armed forces in charge of maintaining order and evacuating thousands of residents affected by the smoke and flames. Authorities have evacuated an estimated 5,000 people, a figure that is expected to rise.

Interior Minister Rodrigo Penailillo said the fire has caused the deaths of four people — three men and a woman.

Thick clouds of smoke surrounded the city's prison and nine pregnant inmates were transferred to a detention facility in the nearby city of Quillota. Prison authorities were evacuating another 204 female inmates to a sports arena. The more than 2,700 male inmates will remain at the prison for the time being, prison guard commander Tulio Arce said.

Valparaiso Mayor Jorge Castro said "at least 500 homes have been destroyed by the fire." He said shelters for those forced to flee have been set up. The city was experiencing cuts to the electricity supply, he said.

While firefighters, police and forest rangers battled the blaze, Chilean marines in combat gear patrolled streets in the city to maintain order and prevent looting.

The fire started Saturday afternoon in hills on the edge of the city and spread rapidly because of strong winds. Hot ash rained down on the city early Sunday, causing respiratory problems among the population, especially children and the elderly.

Valparaiso, about 120 kilometers (75 miles) northwest of the capital, Santiago, is home to Chile's national legislature.

[2ashevillesailors]

4 dead in Chile forest fire; 500 homes destroyed

 

© AP Photo: Luis Hidalgo

 

3 hr ago | By EVA VERGARA of Associated Press

 

SANTIAGO, Chile — A large forest fire raging in the Chilean port city of Valparaiso has killed at least four people and destroyed 500 homes, officials said Sunday. Thousands of people have been evacuated, including more than 200 female inmates at a prison.

Firefighters were having difficulty combating the blaze because of the topography of the city, which is surrounded by dozens of steep hills where most people live.

"This is the worst disaster I have seen," regional governor Ricardo Bravo said. "Now we fear that the fire will spread to the center of the city, which would increase the severity of the emergency."

President Michelle Bachelet has declared the city of 250,000 people a catastrophe zone, which puts the armed forces in charge of maintaining order and evacuating thousands of residents affected by the smoke and flames. Authorities have evacuated an estimated 5,000 people, a figure that is expected to rise.

Interior Minister Rodrigo Penailillo said the fire has caused the deaths of four people — three men and a woman.

Thick clouds of smoke surrounded the city's prison and nine pregnant inmates were transferred to a detention facility in the nearby city of Quillota. Prison authorities were evacuating another 204 female inmates to a sports arena. The more than 2,700 male inmates will remain at the prison for the time being, prison guard commander Tulio Arce said.

Valparaiso Mayor Jorge Castro said "at least 500 homes have been destroyed by the fire." He said shelters for those forced to flee have been set up. The city was experiencing cuts to the electricity supply, he said.

While firefighters, police and forest rangers battled the blaze, Chilean marines in combat gear patrolled streets in the city to maintain order and prevent looting.

The fire started Saturday afternoon in hills on the edge of the city and spread rapidly because of strong winds. Hot ash rained down on the city early Sunday, causing respiratory problems among the population, especially children and the elderly.

Valparaiso, about 120 kilometers (75 miles) northwest of the capital, Santiago, is home to Chile's national legislature.

 

That is very sad, we are planning on going there on a cruise in December. We were just there this past January, so many of the older buildings are made of wood and are very old. In the city itself the streets are very steep and buildings are attached to each other. I can't imagine if it gets into the city center of what will happen. They need everyone's prayers.

[Coolcruise02]

So sad, praying for them!

Edited April 13, 2014 by Coolcruise02

[kahtrav]

4 dead in Chile forest fire; 500 homes destroyed

 

© AP Photo: Luis Hidalgo

 

3 hr ago | By EVA VERGARA of Associated Press

 

SANTIAGO, Chile — A large forest fire raging in the Chilean port city of Valparaiso has killed at least four people and destroyed 500 homes, officials said Sunday. Thousands of people have been evacuated, including more than 200 female inmates at a prison.

Firefighters were having difficulty combating the blaze because of the topography of the city, which is surrounded by dozens of steep hills where most people live.

"This is the worst disaster I have seen," regional governor Ricardo Bravo said. "Now we fear that the fire will spread to the center of the city, which would increase the severity of the emergency."

President Michelle Bachelet has declared the city of 250,000 people a catastrophe zone, which puts the armed forces in charge of maintaining order and evacuating thousands of residents affected by the smoke and flames. Authorities have evacuated an estimated 5,000 people, a figure that is expected to rise.

Interior Minister Rodrigo Penailillo said the fire has caused the deaths of four people — three men and a woman.

Thick clouds of smoke surrounded the city's prison and nine pregnant inmates were transferred to a detention facility in the nearby city of Quillota. Prison authorities were evacuating another 204 female inmates to a sports arena. The more than 2,700 male inmates will remain at the prison for the time being, prison guard commander Tulio Arce said.

Valparaiso Mayor Jorge Castro said "at least 500 homes have been destroyed by the fire." He said shelters for those forced to flee have been set up. The city was experiencing cuts to the electricity supply, he said.

While firefighters, police and forest rangers battled the blaze, Chilean marines in combat gear patrolled streets in the city to maintain order and prevent looting.

The fire started Saturday afternoon in hills on the edge of the city and spread rapidly because of strong winds. Hot ash rained down on the city early Sunday, causing respiratory problems among the population, especially children and the elderly.

Valparaiso, about 120 kilometers (75 miles) northwest of the capital, Santiago, is home to Chile's national legislature.

We spent a few days there in February - you really could see how disastrous fire would be - I hope they can get it stopped quickly.

[t60]

We were there just a couple of weeks ago on Zaandam. Such a pity for everyone involved.

Is there any information as to how the fire started?

 

We have wild fire here in our area of Spain from time to time, in fact while we were away friends were woken at 2am by the Guardia and told to evacuate because of a fire. here it was caused by by electric cables being blown down by the high winds

 

Sandy in Spain

[CruiserBruce]

The fire is reported to be contained.

[flamomo]

The fire is reported to be contained.

 

Have not seen that yet this morning. Hope it stays under control.

 

We spent a precruise night at one of those charming boutique hotels on one of the hills a few weeks ago. Sure hoping it survived the fire.

[CruiserBruce]

Have not seen that yet this morning. Hope it stays under control.

 

We spent a precruise night at one of those charming boutique hotels on one of the hills a few weeks ago. Sure hoping it survived the fire.

 

Actually, I saw the report of containment last night. The morning news today says it isn't contained...

[Ilovesailing]

Does anyone know how close it was to the pier? I'm picturing the hill and mountains edge just above the pier. I hope not!

[kahtrav]

Does anyone know how close it was to the pier? I'm picturing the hill and mountains edge just above the pier. I hope not!

The fires are way on top of the hills, above and to the left as you face away from the water. News report say they are above the parliament, which is near the bus station, too. The poorest parts of the city are in the highest area of the hills and that is where the fires are located.

 

We rented an apartment right above where the ships dock (we could watch the Zaandam sail away) and have been in contact with our AirBnb host. He says the fires are not near him - but they are probably way up the hill from the terminal area.

[4774Papa]

I hope the fires didn't damage the beautiful area accessed by the funiculars.

[flamomo]

I was able to contact the small hotel we stayed at 4 weeks ago, the Acontraluz on San Enrique street, via email yesterday, and found out it is undamaged and the staff and their families are all safe. So happy to know that.