Residents of Chile's capital sought relief in shade and fountains on Tuesday (December 30) as a severe heat wave pushed temperatures above 36 degrees Celsius (97°F), prompting red alerts across central Chile and fuelling hundreds of wildfires.

Chile's National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (Senapred) declared a red alert on Sunday (December 28) for Greater Santiago and five other central regions, as a heat wave that began this week is expected to continue through Wednesday (December 31).

The Meteorological Directorate forecast extreme temperatures between 33C and 36C in Santiago and surrounding regions, with some mountain areas reaching 37C.

On the streets of downtown Santiago, tourists shielded themselves with hats and umbrellas, while vendors spread ice over water bottles and soft drinks.

The extreme heat is part of a broader regional pattern, according to specialists.

Raul Cordero, a climatologist at the University of Santiago, noted that "the frequency and intensity with which heat waves are recorded in much of South America, including the Southern Cone, have tripled since the 1980s."

The scorching conditions have created dangerous wildfire situations. Manuel Vera, commander of Chile's National Forestry Corporation (CONAF), said the season has already seen approximately 400 fires.

Several Santiago neighbourhoods woke Tuesday to a thick layer of smoke from forest fires affecting the capital, though authorities have not yet reported fatalities or displaced residents.

Helicopters were deployed to spray water on burning areas as firefighters worked to contain the blazes.

Production: Rodrigo Gutierrez, Jorge Vega, Liamar Ramos/Reuters