"Two dozen active forest fires are tearing across southern Chile, forcing more than 50,000 people to flee their homes and killing at least 16 people, authorities have said. Security Minister Luis Cordero told reporters at a press conference on Sunday that 15 deaths had been confirmed in the Biobio region, bringing the total to 16 after the government previously reported one death in Nuble. Biobio and Nuble central-southern regions located about 500km (300 mi) south of the capital, Santiago have faced the blazes' worst effects."
"President Gabriel Boric declared a state of emergency in both regions earlier on Sunday, writing on X that all resources are available to contain the fires. The declaration allowed Chile's armed forces to start pitching in. The majority of the evacuations have taken place in the cities of Penco and Lirquen, located in Biobio, authorities said. Together, the cities are home to around 60,000 people."
Two dozen active forest fires are burning across the Biobio and Nuble regions in south-central Chile, about 500 km south of Santiago. The fires have killed at least 16 people and forced more than 50,000 residents to evacuate, with most evacuations occurring in Penco and Lirquen, cities home to around 60,000 people. Around 85 sq km have been torched and at least 250 homes destroyed. President Gabriel Boric declared a state of emergency, allowing the armed forces to assist. Interior Minister Alvaro Elizalde warned that unfavourable weather and extreme temperatures will complicate firefighting efforts.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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