SANTIAGO, Chile — On Sunday, evacuation alerts were issued by Chilean officials for the southern La Araucanía region as wildfires swept through the area, resulting in the loss of at least one life. The government’s decision aims to safeguard over 860,000 residents.

Authorities have mandated evacuations in areas deemed at imminent risk, urging locals to leave their houses and find safety. However, details regarding the extent of damages or the total number of evacuees have not been disclosed.

The tragic death of an 84-year-old woman has been confirmed; she had initially evacuated but returned home before the fires became overwhelming.

La Araucanía, situated south of Santiago, has been grappling with significant forest fires exacerbated by extreme heat, potent winds, and prolonged drought conditions. As the firefighting efforts continue, a red alert has been declared in several sections of the region.

President Gabriel Boric, who implemented a curfew in the affected areas on Saturday, noted that some of these wildfires may have been intentionally set and is calling for a thorough investigation. This weekend, police apprehended five individuals believed to be connected to this issue.

According to official reports, wildfires have already devastated 33,406 hectares across Chile, a reduction of 44% compared to last year, with La Araucanía being the hardest-hit region.

Elevated temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) this weekend have further fueled these fires. Last year, catastrophic wildfires in the Valparaiso region resulted in the deaths of dozens of individuals and led to the destruction of over 1,000 homes.