Residents of the Chilean town of Portezuelo have been evacuating their houses in the face of advancing forest fires.<br /><br /> They had tried creating a fire wall in the town about 400 kilometres south of Santiago. But they were forced to abandon their plan when the wind direction changed.<br /><br /> Other areas are also still being affected, with police and the military moving people out of their homes and cutting off roads.<br /><br /> The authorities have been detaining people suspected of starting the forest fires deliberately.<br /><br /> According to local media, one woman – filmed as she was brought in for questioning – acknowledged setting rubbish alight.<br /><br /> If convicted, the arsonists face up to 20 years behind bars.<br /><br /> Chile’s central and southern regions have been ravaged by the fires for over a fortnight.<br /><br /> After destroying more than half a million hectares, they seemed to be in retreat on Sunday after help, including American and Russian planes, arrived from several countries.<br /><br /> By the weekend at least 11 people were reported to have died in what are described as the worst fires in Chile’s history.<br />
