The fires have been raging for a week in an area about 500 kilometers south of the capital Santiago. Interior Minister Carolina Tohá said on Saturday that as much land has already burned as normal in a year. Since Friday, the number of fires has grown by more than fifty, to about 250.
Firefighters are hampered by the high temperatures when fighting the fire. It is summer in Chile and the country is struggling with a heat wave. This is accompanied by strong winds and drought. The temperatures are above 40 degrees.
A state of emergency has been declared in the affected parts of the country. This makes it possible, among other things, to deploy the army in firefighting and relief efforts. President Gabriel Boric has cut short his vacation to visit the disaster area.