Chilean President Gabriel Boric has declared a state of catastrophe in two regions where deadly wildfires have left at least 18 people dead.
More than 50,000 people have also been evacuated in the Ñuble and Biobío regions, about 500km (300 miles) south of the capital Santiago.
Boric said the death toll was expected to increase.
The most dangerous fire has swept through dry forests bordering the coastal city of Concepción. About 250 homes have been destroyed, disaster officials said.
Local media have shown pictures of charred cars in the streets. Chile's forestry agency, Conaf, reported that firefighters were battling 24 active fires across the country, with the most threatening blazes located in Ñuble and Biobío.
The fires have consumed 8,500 hectares (21,000 acres) to date.
In light of the serious ongoing wildfires, I have decided to declare a state of catastrophe in the two regions, Boric stated. All resources are available, he added, indicating that the armed forces could be deployed to assist.
The majority of evacuations took place in Penco and Lirquen, north of Concepción, home to approximately 60,000 residents.
Strong winds, compounded by high summer temperatures, have further fueled the inferno, endangering local communities and complicating firefighting operations.
Currently, much of Chile is under heat alerts, with temperatures anticipated to reach 38C between Santiago and Biobío in the coming days.
Recent years have seen Chile grappling with severe wildfires, exacerbated by prolonged drought. Notably, two years ago, forest fires caused extensive loss of life in the Valparaíso region.
