18 dead as massive wildfires rip through Chile; Thousands evacuated

Santiago: Massive wildfires sweeping through the Central and Southern Chile have killed at least 18 people and forced the evacuation of about 50,000 inhabitants, officials confirmed. The country is fighting intense heat, powerful winds, and extensive fire fronts, and a state of emergency has been called.

The wildfires, driven by the combination of extreme heat, dry weather, and high winds, have reportedly consumed millions of acres of forest cover and grasslands in various areas, overwhelming the local firefighting resources and prompting urgent national and international efforts.

President Gabriel Boric declared that the condition is highly severe and the number of deaths might grow as further fires emerge. Fire-fighters, military forces, and volunteers are also working on containing the fire with aircraft sent to drop water and retardant over burning fires.

The fires have destroyed dozens of houses and have impacted a number of communities, especially in the worst-hit areas, where the temperatures have been more than normal. Emergency shelters were established in which evacuees were accommodated and basic assistance offered.

The officials are still attempting to put the fires under control and are evaluating the reasons, involving dry conditions and possible human-initiated fires. As fire lines are active, authorities warned of the fact that the situation is still dangerous and unpredictable.