In brief
Chilean wildfires, primarily affecting the Ñuble and Biobío regions, have resulted in at least 18 fatalities and forced more than 50,000 residents to evacuate. With hundreds of homes destroyed and ongoing dry conditions, the fire's impact worsens with stronger winds and high temperatures. President Boric's declaration allows for the deployment of armed forces to assist in battling the blazes.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric has declared a state of catastrophe in two regions where deadly wildfires have left at least 18 people dead.
More than 50,000 people have also been evacuated in the Ñuble and Biobío regions, about 500km (300 miles) south of the capital Santiago.
Boric said the death toll was expected to increase.
The most dangerous fire has swept through dry forests bordering the coastal city of Concepción. About 250 homes have been destroyed, disaster officials said.
Local media have shown pictures of charred cars in the streets.
Chile's forestry agency, Conaf, said firefighters were battling 24 fires across the country. The most threatening are in Ñuble and Biobío, where the fires have burnt through 8,500 hectares (21,000 acres).
In light of the serious ongoing wildfires, Boric announced a state of catastrophe, stating, All resources are available. Under this declaration, Chile's armed forces can be deployed to assist in firefighting efforts.
The majority of evacuations occurred in the cities of Penco and Lirquen, just north of Concepción, which have a combined population of 60,000.
Strong winds, intensified by high summer temperatures, have aggravated the situation, threatening communities and complicating firefighting tasks.
Much of Chile is under heat alerts, with temperatures set to reach 38C between Santiago and Biobío in the coming days.
Chile has seen a series of devastating fires in recent years, worsened by long-term drought. Notably, two years ago, catastrophic forest fires killed at least 120 people in the Valparaíso region near Santiago.
