How climate change made Chile's wildfires so deadly

Remains of burned houses are seen following the spread of wildfires in Vina del Mar, Chile, February 5, 2024. REUTERS/Rodrigo Garrido

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Survivors of Chile's recent deadly wildfires described a hellish nightmare, a hurricane of fireballs leaping from hill to hill, lighting up everything within its path in seconds.

While the region faces wildfires almost every year, the speed and lethality of last week's blaze was unprecedented. At least 131 people were killed and hundreds are still missing in what was Chile's worst natural disaster in years.