• Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of emergency in Ñuble and Biobío regions.
• At least 16 people have died and around 20,000 have been evacuated due to wildfires.
• Firefighters are battling multiple blazes fueled by extreme heat and wind conditions.

Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of emergency for the Ñuble and Biobío regions as wildfires raged, leading to the evacuation of at least 20,000 residents. The blazes have significantly impacted the towns of Penco and Lirquen, known for their combined population of around 60,000. Alicia Cebrian of the National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response reported on the evacuations, stating, "All resources are available," as many homes have been badly affected, according to Le Monde, Reuters, and CBS News.

As of January 18, at least 16 fatalities have been linked to these ongoing fires, as they sweep through dry forests in the affected regions. The fires have already burned about 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres), laying waste to around 250 homes and causing widespread destruction. Weather conditions such as extreme heat and strong winds have exacerbated the situation, complicating firefighting efforts across the country, reports BBC, India Times, and Reuters.

Such fires are not new to Chile; the country has dealt with devastating wildfires for years, exacerbated by persistent drought conditions. In previous years, wildfires have claimed many lives and destroyed vast areas of land, underscoring the ongoing environmental challenges faced by the nation, according to Le Monde, Reuters, and India Times.