STORY: According to the Chilean forest authorities on Thursday, a forest fire has destroyed hundreds of hectares of land in central Chile. Extreme temperatures and strong winds are the reason for the rapid spread of the fire. The flames also spread to the town of Chillan in the center of the country. Local residents are desperate: “It’s terrible because we could see the fire from afar. Suddenly the wind changed and the flames were there in no time.” “It’s awful. Nobody puts out the fire. We have nothing to do with this forest fire and yet it’s ruining our lives. At my age, I have to fight again to get the tools I had. I have all my tools lost, everyone. I have nothing left.” According to the authorities, the forest fires ignited on the dry soil of the Argentine pampas and were fanned by the hot winds. The Chilean Civil Protection Center issued a red alert for the municipalities of Chillan and Chillan Viejo.