At least 18 people have died in devastating forest fires that have swept through south-central Chile, reaching homes and vehicles. 

In response, President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe. Interior Minister Alvaro Elizalde reported that 24 fires are being battled, with over 50,000 people evacuated. The declaration allows the military to assist in containing the fires, which have already scorched 8,500 hectares. Charred bodies have been found in fields, homes, along roads and in vehicles. Residents were caught off guard by the fires, which struck suddenly after midnight, trapping many in their homes. While the total number of homes destroyed remains unclear, Concepcion in the Biobio region has reported 253 homes lost.