VALPARAISO: (CNS): Bishop Pedro Ossandon Buljevic, apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Valparaiso, Chile, urged people to “join in prayer to transform ourselves into a single great manger of solidarity, that welcomes and accompanies in this initial moment of pain and in the large process of recovery, “ after around 1,000 people lost their homes in fires that swept through hillside neighbourhoods around the southern port city of Valparaiso on Christmas Eve and Christmas.
Although the final tally is not complete, Church workers in Valparaiso estimated that at least 250 houses were destroyed on the hillsides, where the steep terrain made it difficult for firefighters to combat the blazes.
By December 27, the fires were under control, with just a few hot spots remaining, Maria Eugenia Quitral Veloso, of the Valparaiso diocesan communications office, said.
Chilean government officials said they suspected the fires, which were exacerbated by high temperatures, strong winds and prolonged drought, were set deliberately.
Caritas Chile is providing emergency assistance to families and will aid with reconstruction of homes and small businesses lost in the fires.
Fires occur almost every year in southern Chile, where large plantations of pine and eucalyptus trees are common. A fire in November in Curauma, near Valparaiso, burned an area of nearly 20.7 square kilometres.
Catherine Mella Quiroz, who heads Caritas Chile’s environment, risk management and emergencies programme, said major fires occurred around Valparaiso in 2013, 2014 and 2017.
Caritas has been working with hillside communities on fire prevention and control, Mella said.
