Chile forest fire near Valparaiso sparks evacuations

[Bosonic]

Source: BBC

Chilean authorities have declared a state of emergency as a raging forest fire forced thousands of people to flee their homes.

The fire is threatening the port cities of Valparaiso and Vina del Mar.

The interior ministry said about 4,500 people had already been evacuated and another 10,000 might need to be moved.

Valparaiso is still recovering from a forest fire last April that killed 15 people, injured more than 500 and destroyed nearly 3,000 homes.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-31883639

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[forest444]

1. The very same thing happened last year

In the same slum-ridden area. These massive fires were uncommon in Valparaiso until 2013 - since which they've been happening every year. I'd keep an eye on suspicious meetings and large cash transactions by Valparaiso real estate developers if I were investigating this.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Thank you for the background. Had no idea. Hope someone makes the connections soon,

and lives long enough to alert the right (clean) authorities.

What are the odds it could keep happening in the same spot, anyway?

It's not that easy for these impoverished people, had it been only once.