This image depicted by the MODIS
instrument on Terra shows fire signatures (Upper left)
and volcanic smoke plume in Chile on 5 January 2012.
Source: NASA satellite image repository (selected and
interpreted by GFMC).
This image depicted by the MODIS
instrument on Aqua shows fires continuing to burn in
Bio-Bio region, Chile, on 5 January 2012.
Today six
firefighters have been killed by the wildfires. Source:
NASA satellite image repository (selected and
interpreted by GFMC).
Note by GFMC:
On Tuesday 29 December 2011 a wildfire started to spread
inside the Torres del Paine National Park, Chile. GFMC
monitored the situation through local focal points and
media news. Satellite images were not available for the
South Patagonian region of Chile due to permanent cloud
cover. In the region of Bio-Bio the satellite image of
the wildfires burning in native vegetation and forest
plantations near Concepción have been captured on 2
January 2012 (image displayed above). The following
links to reports by the local and international media
provide the development of the wildfire situation until
5 January 2012, including the reports on fatalities on 5
January 2012. Access to the GFMC internal database will
be provide to GFMC partners on request.
The wildfires burning in Chile and neighbouring
Argentina are fuelled by the current drought and social
conflicts. Please see also this essay:
-
Glaciers go, leaving drought, conflict and tension in
Andes
See also Chile Update of
2 January 2012.
Detailed news from the Media:
SOS staff and children evacuated as forest fires rage in Chile (published by www.soschildrensvillages.org.uk, 05 January 2012)
Chilean Church launches campaign for forest fire victims (published by www.catholicnewsagency.com, 05 January 2012)
Chile invokes terror law for 'criminal' wildfire (published by www.google.com, 05 January 2012)
Sudden shift in Chilean wildfire kills 6 firefighters, badly burns 2; 1 still missing (published by www.washingtonpost.com, 05 January 2012)
Wildfires threaten Patagonia’s biodiversity (published by http://blogs.nature.com, 05 January 2012)
Chile battles three huge forest fires (published by http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com, 05 January 2012)
Argentina pilot fighting forest fire survives crash (published by www.heraldsun.com.au, 05 January 2012)
Forest Fire Destroys Arauco Plywood Plant (published by www.woodworkingnetwork.com, 04 January 2012)
Response to fires hurts unpopular Pinera (published by www.smh.com.au, 04 January 2012)
Chile wildfire started by eco-conscious tourist (published by www.globalpost.com, 03 January 2012)
Chilean fire-fighting helicopter sabotaged amidst forest fires (published by www.santiagotimes.cl, 02 January 2012)
One Dead in New Fire in Southern Chile (published by www.laht.com, 02 January 2012)
Chile battles 3 huge forest fires; 1 killed (published by www.google.com, 02 January 2012)
Firefighters tame Patagonian bushfire (published by www.abc.net.au, 02 January 2012)
Dad of Israeli suspect in Chile fire: He's innocent (published by www.jpost.com, 01 January 2012)
Huge wildfire ravages Patagonia (published by www.rawstory.com, 31 December 2011)
Israeli tourist held over massive Chile wildfire (published by www.google.com, 31 December 2011)
Fire Forces Chile to Close National Park (published by www.bloomberg.com, 30 December 2011)
Chile national park shut down by wildfire (published by www.worldnews.msnbc.msn.com, 30 December 2011)
Equipos en terreno mantienen combate a incendio forestal (published by www.onemi.cl, 30 December 2011)
Wildfire Closes Chile’s Torres del Paine Park (published by www.bloomberg.com, 30 December 2011)
Fire destroys 1,500 hectares of Patagonia forest (published by www.google.com, 30 December 2011)
Tourists Evacuated from Chilean Park Due to Fire (published by www.laht.com, 29 December 2011)
Red alert set for wildfire in Chile’s Torres del
Paine (published by
www.ilovechile.cl, 28 December 2011)