Chile Declares State of Catastrophe as Wildfires in Central-South Kill 19

Overview

• Emergency powers cover Ñuble and Biobío, enabling military control and a night curfew in hard-hit Biobío towns such as Penco and Lirquén.
• Officials report 19 deaths, the vast majority in Biobío, after fires swept into populated areas over the weekend.
• Firefighters are tackling roughly 14 major fronts in the two affected regions, with around two dozen active fires nationwide, according to CONAF.
• Authorities estimate more than 25,000 hectares burned, with at least 325 homes destroyed and over 1,000 damaged as damage assessments continue.
• Conditions eased slightly overnight, but forecasts up to 37°C and strong winds leave authorities warning of flare-ups and new ignitions.