From January 16 to 18, wildfires raged out of control in Chile’s Ponce city. High temperatures, drought conditions, and strong winds fueled the blazes, which consumed an area of 8,500 hectares. The disaster claimed 18 lives and forced the evacuation of 50,000 residents. It destroyed 300 homes, multiple hospitals, and schools, while threatening a gas plant. The president declared a state of emergency in two regions, with nearly 4,000 firefighters battling the blaze—highlighting the severe challenges of wildfire prevention during South America’s summer season.
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