At least nineteen people have died in Chile as uncontrolled wildfires ravaged communities.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in the southern regions of Nuble and Biobio, authorizing the deployment of the armed forces to assist in firefighting and relief efforts.
Following a meeting with mayors of the affected municipalities, Boric confirmed that over 50,000 people have been displaced by the blazes, which were fueled by strong winds and high temperatures.
The fires have destroyed more than 8,000 hectares in the two regions, threatening communities and prompting evacuation orders.
Much of Chile remains under extreme heat alerts, with temperatures expected to reach up to 38 degrees Celsius. Both Chile and Argentina have experienced severe heat since early this year, with Argentina’s Patagonia region also facing devastating wildfires this month.
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