Chile Declares Emergency as Deadly Wildfires Ravage the South
(Firefighters and soldiers respond as deadly wildfires force mass evacuations in southern Chile after a state of emergency is declared.) A Nation on Edge as Wildfires Spread Chile is battling one of its most dangerous wildfire outbreaks in recent years as fast-spreading blazes sweep across the country’s southern regions. At least 15 people have lost their lives, while more than 50,000 residents have been forced to evacuate, highlighting the growing global threat posed by extreme weather events. The fires are concentrated in the Nuble and Biobio regions, around 300 miles south of Santiago, and have been burning uncontrollably for several days due to strong winds and intense summer heat. State of Emergency Declared President Gabriel Boric has declared a state of emergency, authorizing the deployment of the armed forces to support firefighters and assist with evacuations. Chile’s Security Minister warned that conditions remain “extremely volatile,” with nearly two dozen a...