At least 22 people are dead as dozens of wildfires escalates in Chile amid a scorching heat wave, Chilean authorities confimed.
As of Saturday morning, 251 fires were active in the South American country, with 80 out of control, authorities said. At least 45,000 hectares of forests have been destroyed so far, according to official data in comparison to the size of the city of San Jose, California.
The fatalities included two firefighters and Over 550 people have also been injured, with 16 in life-threatening condition, authorities added.A state of emergency has however been declared in the central-southern regions of La Araucania, Ñuble and Biobío, which has been especially hard-hit by the fires.
Chile has been battling scores of wildfires amid high temperatures and a prolonged drought. The heat wave is expected to continue until at least Wednesday, with forecasted temperatures of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Strong winds are also expected, which risk worsening fire conditions.
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