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Volunteers in central Chile have been removing charred metal, broken glass, and other debris from neighbourhoods devastated by wildfires over the past several days, as officials raised the death toll to 122. Hundreds of people remain missing.

The fires appeared to have diminished by Monday morning after burning intensely since Friday on the eastern edge of the city of Viña del Mar. Two other towns in the Valparaíso region, Quilpé and Villa Alemana, also have been hit hard, and President Gabriel Boric said Sunday that at least 3,000 homes had burnt down in the area, reports the Associated Press.

The wildfires began as Chile and other parts of South America’s southern cone face a severe heatwave with temperatures surpassing 40°C, which will become more common in the southern hemisphere during summer months due to climate change, reports the Guardian.

Climate change is also affecting the El Niño weather pattern that is driving this year’s high temperatures, say scientists. And making matters worse, Chile has recently seen a growth of scrubland that can act as kindling for wildfires, after an unusual bout of rains last year that came in the midst of a long drought, explains Agence France-Presse.

Boric said authorities are still investigating whether the fires were caused intentionally, referring to a theory that was also mentioned by the mayor of Valparaíso. Chile’s National Forestry Corporation (CONAF) says 99.7% of fires start with human carelessness, including from agricultural practices and intentional acts.

“Like the vast majority of fires in South America, humans likely ignited it, but climate change-driven heat and drought allowed blazes to travel with stunning speed,” explains the Washington Post. “Some 100 separate fires have burned in recent days as temperatures persistently rose into the mid-30s Celsius, unprecedented heat for the coastal nation that sent hot and dry winds roaring down steep slopes.”

The developments show how global warming is “increasing fire’s capacity to race across parched landscapes and surprise communities not accustomed to the blazes and powerless to fight back the flames,” the Post adds.

Death Toll Rising

Citing Marisol Prado, director of Chile’s Forensic Medical Service, AP reports that 10 victims were added to the death toll on Monday afternoon, bringing the total to 122.

Prado said many bodies were in bad condition and difficult to identify, but added that forensic workers would be taking samples of genetic material from people who have reported missing relatives.

Viña del Mar’s Mayor Macarena Ripamonti said at least 370 people have been reported missing in the city of about 300,000 residents.

The fires ravaged several neighbourhoods that had been precariously built on the mountains that loom to the east of Viña del Mar, which is also a popular beach resort.

Pricila Rivero, a chef from the neighbourhood of Alto Miraflores, said it took about 15 minutes for the flames to travel from a nearby hill to her home.

She said she rushed her children to safety when she saw the fire approaching, but by the time she returned to salvage some of her possessions her house was burning, with licks of flame emerging from the windows.

“It’s the place where we have lived all our lives,” Rivero said. “It’s so sad to see it destroyed, and to lose our memories, our photos, the pictures from my parents’ wedding, but some of that will remain in our hearts.”

Schools and other public buildings in Viña del Mar and in the capital city of Santiago are currently serving as depots, where people are taking donations of water, food, candles, and shovels for the victims of the fires.

In Viña del Mar, Villa Alemana, and Quilpé, police have asked people who have not been affected by the fires to stay at home so rescue crews can move around with more ease.

Hundreds of people affected by the fires returned to their homes on Monday to search through the debris. Many have said they prefer to sleep near their homes in order to prevent looters from taking what is left of their possessions, or from claiming the land their homes were built on.

The main body of this report was published by The Associated Press and republished by The Canadian Press on February 5, 2024.