The U.S. Embassy informs U.S. citizens traveling and living in Chile that the Chilean national emergency agency (ONEMI) in coordination with the Chilean national forestry agency (CONAF) has declared a red alert for the community of Lo Barnechea in Santiago. Currently, there is an active forest fire (originating in the community of Colina) that has consumed more than 350 hectares of grassland. The Embassy recommends that U.S. citizens living in or traveling near the community of Lo Barnechea follow all emergency instructions published by ONEMI and are encouraged to closely monitor the news. ONEMI’s website contains official information and instructions about the forest fire. Please visit www.onemi.cl<http://www.onemi.cl/> for additional information.
The U.S. Embassy strongly recommends that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Chile enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program<https://step.state.gov/step>. STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates and makes it easier for the U.S. Embassy or nearest U.S. Consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Regularly monitor the State Department’s website<http://travel.state.gov/>, where you can find current Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and the Worldwide Caution. Read the Country Specific Information for Chile<http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country.html>. For additional information, please refer to our “Traveler’s Checklist<http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/go/checklist.html>” page.
Contact the U.S. Embassy in Chile<http://chile.usembassy.gov/emergency_messages.html> for up-to-date security information. The U.S. Embassy in Santiago is located at Andres Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago and is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm by appointment only for routine services. If you are a U.S. citizen in need of urgent assistance, the emergency number for the U.S. Embassy is +56 22 330 3716.
You may also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free from within the United States and Canada, or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
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