Emergency Declared in Chile as Wildfires Claim Sixteen Lives
The emergency order covers Nuble and Biobio regions as flames continue spreading across multiple fronts.
"Given the serious fires currently underway, I have decided to declare a state of catastrophe in the regions of Nuble and Biobio. All resources are available," Boric announced via X.
Chile's National Forestry Corporation reported 24 active blazes burning across the nation as of 9:30 a.m. local time Sunday. Nuble region alone is battling nine separate fires, while Biobio faces three. The most destructive blaze is consuming Ranquil city in Nuble, where approximately 2,200 hectares have been scorched.
Mass evacuations are underway, with Alicia Cebrian, director of Chile's National Disaster Prevention and Response Service, confirming to local outlets that no fewer than 30,000 residents have fled Penco city in Biobio region. Authorities have not yet completed damage assessments for residential structures.
The disaster evokes memories of February 2024, when catastrophic wildfires tore through central Valparaiso region, killing at least 138 people and obliterating tens of thousands of homes.
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