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At Least 13 Die in Chile's Wildfires

by VOA News

   Chilean authorities say at least 13 people have died in the dozens of
   wildfires raging in the South American country during a heatwave.

   Hundreds of homes and 14,000 hectares of land have been destroyed in
   the blazes.

   States of disaster have been declared in BiobÃo region and neighboring
   Ãuble region, allowing for the deployment of soldiers and other
   resources.

   Chilean President Gabriel Boric cut short his vacation Friday to visit
   the affected areas.

   "My role as president today is to ensure that all resources will be
   available for the emergency and so that people feel that they are not
   going to be alone," Boric said.

   Chile's heatwave is expected to continue.

   Some information in this report came from The Associated Press and
   Reuters.