Development: On 5 January President Sebastián Piñera of Chile announced that the authorities have “reliable” evidence that a string of forest fires were started intentionally, adding that the government will invoke Chile’s anti-terrorism law to prosecute anyone found responsible. Significance: Although Chile’s southern regions are especially prone to forest fires during the southern hemisphere summer, since late December several big fires have consumed large parts of the Maule, Biobío and Araucanía regions, destroying some 55,000 hectares (ha) of forest, causing material damages and deaths. The government, which was initially criticised for its lack of action and preparedness, appears to want…