🔥 Chile is battling fierce wildfires in the central-southern Bio-Bio and Nuble regions, where at least 18 people have tragically lost their lives and the death toll may climb.
Earlier this week, President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe for both regions, mobilizing all available resources to fight the blazes.
According to Chile's National Forest Management Corporation, as of 9:30 a.m. local time, 24 active wildfires remain uncontained – nine in Nuble and three in Bio-Bio. The largest blaze near the city of Ranquil in Nuble has already scorched about 2,200 hectares of forest.
In Penco, Bio-Bio's hardest-hit community, National Disaster Prevention and Response Service director Alicia Sefrian reports that over 30,000 residents have been forced to evacuate their homes. Authorities are still assessing the full scale of property and environmental damage.
As winds change and temperatures climb in Chile's summer season, firefighters face a race against time to protect communities and contain the flames. Our thoughts are with everyone affected. 😢🌲
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
