Chilean President Gabriel Boric has declared a state of catastrophe in the southern regions of Ñuble and Biobío after wildfires forced over 50,000 people to evacuate and k!lled at least 18
Chile’s forestry agency CONAF reported that as of Sunday morning, firefighters were battling 24 active fires nationwide, with the largest blazes concentrated in the Ñuble and Biobío regions, roughly 500 km (310 miles) south of the capital, Santiago.
“In light of the serious ongoing wildfires, I have decided to declare a state of catastrophe in the regions of Ñuble and Biobío. All resources are available,” Boric said in a post on X.
The fires have destroyed nearly 8,500 hectares (21,000 acres) across the two regions, threatening communities and prompting authorities to issue mass evacuation orders.
Strong winds and soaring temperatures have worsened the spread, complicating firefighting efforts. Much of Chile is under extreme heat alerts, with temperatures expected to reach 38°C (100°F) from Santiago to Biobío on Sunday and Monday.
South-central Chile has been increasingly vulnerable to wildfires in recent years, driven by climate change, extreme weather, droughts, and floods. In February 2024, simultaneous fires near the city of Viña del Mar, northwest of Santiago, killed 138 people, according to the public prosecutor’s office.
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LORD HAVE MERCY