People watch as they attempt to extinguish a wildfire in Chile's Maule Region on January 25. A wildfire on Wednesday in the same region burned 40 homes and led to the evacuation of 3,200 people. Photo by Elvis Gonzalez/EPA

Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Chile's Ministry of Interior and Public Safety said a wildfire that burned more than 8,600 acres, damaged 40 homes and forced the evacuation of 3,200 people.

The wildfire occurred Wednesday in the Parral area of Chile's Maule Region.


"It is a fire that advanced very quickly, due to strong winds, high temperatures and low humidity," Aarón Cavieres, executive director of Chile's National Forest Corporation, said Wednesday.

Chile has been fighting against what President Michelle Bachelet called "the most brutal fire our history has ever recorded" for weeks. The wildfires killed at least 11 people and left about 6,000 people homeless after destroying more than 1,500 homes.

Chilean officials on Thursday said parts of the Valparaíso Region remain under red alert due to the wildfires.

The Chilean government said it estimates combating the fires will cost about $26 million, while reconstruction will cost about $333 million.