Wildfires are raging across central and southern Chile, killing at least 15 people and destroying many homes. The fires have scorched about 8,500 hectares of forest. Chile’s president, Gabriel Boric, declared a state of catastrophe in the Biobío and Ñuble regions, around 500 km south of the capital Santiago. This makes it easier to work with the military to control about two dozen fires. About 50,000 people have evacuated so far, said Chilean security minister Luis Cordero. However, local officials say help from the government did not arrive quickly despite the urgent need. Rodrigo Vera, mayor of the town of Penco, said, “Dear president Boric, from the bottom of my heart, I have been here for four hours, a community is burning and there is no [government] presence.” Firefighters face tough work due to strong winds and heat over 38°C. The fires caught residents by surprise after midnight. John Guzmán, a local in Penco, said, “Many people didn’t evacuate. They stayed in their houses because they thought the fire would stop at the edge of the forest.” But the fire spread fast, destroying cars, a school, a church, and many homes. Juan Lagos from Penco said, “We fled running, with the kids, in the dark.” Most deaths happened in Penco, Vera confirmed. Alejandro Arredondo from Lirquén said, “There is nothing left standing.” Across the burning towns, charred bodies were found in homes, fields, and cars. The disaster has left communities devastated, struggling to cope with the destruction.