Chile Wildfires Kill 16, Force 20,000 Evacuations; Emergency Declared

• Chile declared a state of catastrophe in Ñuble and Bío Bío regions due to fast-spreading wildfires.
• At least 16 people have died and approximately 20,000 residents were evacuated.
• President Gabriel Boric deployed armed forces to assist firefighting and evacuation efforts.
• Strong winds and high summer temperatures, reaching up to 38 C, intensified the blazes.
• Nearly 8,500 hectares scorched and 250 homes destroyed across the affected regions.

Why It Matters: Deadly wildfires in Chile's southern regions have prompted an emergency declaration and mass evacuations.