Wildfires rage in central Chile, authorities struggle to coordinate control efforts

A school and several houses burned to ashes as wildfires raged in central Chile on Sunday. In the areas of Romeral, Melipilla, Vina del Mar and Santiago de Chile, wildfires consumed trees, houses and a school. Firefighters were seen arriving at the scene and battling the fire.

The Chilean government is coordinating greater resources to control the advance of several active fires in the central part of the country that have consumed more than 3,500 hectares and put neighbouring residential areas at risk, authorities said.

The fires are currently on red alert in the central regions of Valparaíso, Metropolitana, O'Higgins and Maule, where 11 active fires are being fought and six have already been controlled, according to data from the state-run National Forestry Corporation (Conaf).

Forest fires are common around the southern summer season, when high temperatures and strong winds help fires to spread rapidly. This season has already totalled 44 fires throughout the country, according to official data.

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