In Chile, huge wildfires have killed at least 131 people – but one village was almost untouched

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🗞️ Driving the news: Chile has faced one of its worst fire-related disasters, with a series of massive forest fires burning from February 1 to 5, leaving at least 131 people dead, a toll expected to rise
• The disaster, exacerbated by a combination of climatic conditions and inadequate social preparation, has highlighted the need for better preparedness against extreme climate hazards

🔭 The context: The fires were fueled by high temperatures, a long-term mega-drought, low humidity, and strong winds, conditions likely influenced by El Niño and human-induced climate change
• However, the lack of social preparedness, including poor urban planning and inadequate early warning systems, significantly contributed to the disaster's severity.

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The disaster underscores the critical importance of integrating climate change and disaster risk reduction into national planning and preparedness strategies
• As climate change increases the likelihood of extreme weather events, the need for effective risk management and community preparedness becomes increasingly vital to prevent such hazards from turning into human disasters.

⏭️ What's next: The disaster highlights the urgent need for Chile to improve its disaster risk reduction and climate change preparedness
• Learning from successful examples like Villa Botania, where community-led initiatives prevented major damage, is crucial
• Additionally, the recent creation of a national policy on disaster risk reduction represents a step forward, but integrating these risks into planning regulations remains a key challenge

💬 One quote: "Climate change means it is likely that Chile will be even more prone to huge fires in future. However, the human health risks this poses can be reduced by adequate preparedness and response plans." – Academic disaster researcher from Chile.

📈 One stat: At least 131 people dead from the fires, with expectations for the number to increase.

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