Raging forest fires kill 13 people in Chile and devour dozens of homes

Weather of Arabia - The authorities in Chile declared a state of disaster in many southern central regions on Friday, after a summer heat wave sparked forest fires that killed at least 13 people, in the country located in the southern hemisphere.

Since its outbreak on Wednesday, the fires have devoured more than 100 homes and destroyed 47,000 hectares of forest, as the heat wave continues with rising temperatures and strong winds that may make forest fires more difficult.

Local authorities said 11 people, including a firefighter, died in the town of Santa Juana in Biobio, about 500 km south of the capital, Santiago.

And the Minister of Agriculture announced the crash of an emergency support helicopter in the southern region of "La Araucanía", killing two people, according to Reuters.

WATCH: #BNNChile Reports.

Authorities in #Chile declared a state of disaster in several central-southern regions Friday after a devastating heat wave sparked forest fires that killed at least 13 people. #Chile #Forestfire #environment pic.twitter.com/1rqIsvMWES

- Gurbaksh Singh Chahal (@gchahal) February 4, 2023

Most of the forest fires are located in Biobio and neighboring Naupli, where the government has declared states of disaster that allow for more coordination with the army and the suspension of some constitutional rights, while Chilean President Gabriel Boric canceled, on Friday, his summer vacation and traveled to the towns of Noble and Biobio.

The fires disrupted highway traffic in the burning areas, and many municipalities were evacuated.

The authorities have controlled 146 fires, with about 2 firefighters and 300 aircraft involved in the battle against the flames.