Wildfires

Wildfires - Chile - Update

Wildfires continue to rage across a large area of land in Chile, with emergency teams working round the clock to put out the flames which have now claimed the lives of six firefighters.

The fire, which started last Wednesday, has so far destroyed some 155,000 hectares of land in Central and Southern Chile, forcing the evacuation of at least 4,000 people. Thousands of emergency workers and firefighters are trying to extinguish the flames.

Authorities say over 100 wildfires are raging across the country amid strong winds and a heat wave. The south-central region of O’Higgins and Maule has been suffering the most, where the inferno destroyed homes, pasture and livestock. All affected areas are under a state of emergency, while several cities, including capital, Santiago, are shrouded in smoke.

On Tuesday, officials said three more firefighters have died battling the flames, bringing the total to six, while another three have been wounded.

Wildfires - Oklahoma, USA

Authorities say two homes were destroyed in a fast-moving wildfire that burned in central Oklahoma. No injuries were reported in Tuesday's blaze in Logan County, about 30 miles north of Oklahoma City.