Chilean President Gabriel Boric has declared a state of catastrophe in two regions where deadly wildfires are raging.<\/p>\n
At least 16 people are confirmed dead in the \u00d1uble and Biob\u00edo regions, about 500km (300 miles) south of the capital Santiago. At least 20,000 have been evacuated. <\/p>\n
The most dangerous fire has swept through dry forests bordering the coastal city of Concepci\u00f3n. About 250 homes have been destroyed, disaster officials said.<\/p>\n
Local media show pictures of charred cars in the streets. Chile has experienced a series of devastating fires in recent years, worsened by long-term drought.<\/p>\n
Chile’s forestry agency, Conaf, said firefighters were battling a total of 24 fires across the country on Sunday. The most threatening, it added, were in \u00d1uble and Biob\u00edo.<\/p>\n
“In light of the serious ongoing wildfires, I have decided to declare a state of catastrophe” in the two regions, Boric said in a post on X. “All resources are available,” he added.<\/p>\n
The fires have affected 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres) in the two regions so far, local media say.<\/p>\n
The bulk of the evacuations were carried out in the cities of Penco and Lirquen, just north of Concepci\u00f3n, which have a combined population of 60,000.<\/p>\n
Strong winds have fanned the flames amid summer temperatures, endangering communities and hampering firefighting efforts.<\/p>\n
Much of Chile is under heat alerts, with temperatures expected to reach 38C between Santiago and Biob\u00edo in the next two days.<\/p>\n