Chile forest fire death toll reaches 18 amid state of emergency declaration

Chile Declares State of Emergency in Two Southern Regions Amid Ongoing Forest Fires

President Gabriel Boric has declared a state of emergency in two southern regions of Chile, Biobio and Nuble, due to the ongoing forest fires. The declaration was made on Sunday, following reports of at least 18 deaths and widespread evacuations.

According to authorities, more than 50,000 people have been forced to flee their homes as the fires continue to spread. The majority of evacuees are from the cities of Penco and Lirquen, which are home to around 60,000 people.

The Biobio and Nuble regions, located approximately 500km south of the capital city Santiago, have been particularly affected by the blazes. The fires have already torched around 85sq km across the region, with at least 250 homes destroyed so far.

President Boric stated that “all resources are available” to contain the fires, and the declaration has allowed Chile’s armed forces to assist in the efforts. Interior Minister Alvaro Elizalde noted that unfavorable weather conditions in the coming days may make firefighting more difficult due to extreme temperatures.

The situation is complicated, with multiple fires burning simultaneously across the region. This is not the first time the area has experienced severe forest fires, as a similar incident occurred in February 2024, resulting in over 130 deaths.

Source: Al Jazeera