Wildfires in southern Chile have killed at least 15 people and forced tens of thousands to leave their homes. The fires are burning across the Ñuble and Biobío regions, about 500 km south of Santiago. Security Minister Luis Cordero confirmed the deaths linked to the fires. President Gabriel Boric declared a state of natural disaster in both regions on Sunday, saying the emergency needs full use of state resources. "In the face of the ongoing serious fires, I have decided to declare a state of natural disaster for the Ñuble and Biobío regions," Boric said on X. "All resources are available." Firefighters are battling at least 19 active fires across the country, with 12 fires in the two southern regions. About 20,000 people have been evacuated, especially from the Biobío cities of Penco and Lirquén, which together have 60,000 residents, said Alicia Cebrián, head of the National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response. Other officials say the number of evacuees may be even higher. Video footage showed flames destroying neighborhoods and burnt vehicles on streets. Chile has seen worse wildfires before. In February last year, fires near Viña del Mar killed 138 people and affected 16,000 others.