Number of hectares destroyed by fire in Valparaíso rises to 1,500

VALPARAÍSO.-  The number of hectares destroyed by a forest fire that began at approximately 3:00 PM yesterday in Quintay has risen to 1,500.  The blaze has still not been controlled by firefighters.

A local emergency committee met this morning to address the transfer of heavy machinery to the area in order to build fire blocks to serve as reinforcement to CONAF workers who have arrived in the area from the Coquimbo, O´Higgins and Metropolitain Regions along with Marine, Army and Navy officers.

The blaze is being fought by all squads from both the Valparaíso and Casablanca fire departments, who are being aided by the use of 2 planes and 2 helicopters.

The mayor of the region, Iván de la Maza, has asked that elderly citizens, children and those who suffer from respiratory problems be evacuated from the towns of Curauma and Placilla since smoke is forecasted to heavily affect these areas during the afternoon today.