Chile wildfires: Firefighters battle huge forest fires

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Firefighters in Chile have been working to put out the huge fires

Firefighters in Chile have been tackling huge wildfires that broke out in the country's central region last week.

At least 1,600 people have been left without homes with fires burning with the highest intensity around Vi帽a del Mar, a popular beach resort.

Chile's President Gabriel Boric declared a state of emergency, saying he would make "all necessary resources" available to tackle the situation.

Rescue services are struggling to reach areas most badly affected; the Chilean government is urging people not to travel towards these areas.

Image source, Reuters

Image caption, People have been left without homes as the fires caused devastation across Chile's central region

How have the wildfires affected central Chile?

Chile's housing ministry said that between 3,000 and 6,000 houses have been impacted by the wildfires.

More than 100 people have died as a result of the fires.

Unusually high temperatures, low humidity and high wind speeds are making it difficult to control the flames.

The government says 1,400 firefighters were deployed on Sunday to try to tackle the blazes.

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Some schools are being used as shelter for people who have lost their homes

Military personnel have been deployed alongside emergency services, and the cause of the fires is being investigated.

Wildfires at this time of year in Chile aren't uncommon. More than 400,000 hectares were burnt during last year's record heatwave.

The area of the fires this year is much smaller but the fire has been growing quickly.