Chile Widens Wildfire Emergency as Death Toll Climbs to 22
- The fires have been fanned by extreme heat and dry winds
- President Boric asks Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay for help
A resident surveys damage following a wildfire in Santa Juana, Concepcion province, Chile on Feb. 3.
Photographer: Javier Torres/AFP/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
Chile’s President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in a third region ravaged by wildfires with the death toll in the South American country climbing to 22.
The fires in the south and central parts of the country have been fanned by a severe heat wave and dry winds, officials said. Boric said on Saturday he requested more help fighting the blazes from the neighboring countries of Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. He also thanked Argentine President Alberto Fernandez for pledging aid.