Script:
Dramatic footage shows towering flames and thick smoke consuming hills near the coastal city of Penco in Chile’s Biobío region, as wildfires continue to tear through the area.

The fires are part of a wider regional crisis that has burned more than 20,000 hectares, killed at least 18 people, and forced thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. Authorities have declared a state of catastrophe as dry conditions and strong winds fuel the fast-moving blazes.

Local communities have raised concerns over delayed responses, saying warnings were issued early but action came too late. Emergency crews remain on the ground as officials assess the damage and continue efforts to contain the fires.

Video credit: Michael Jofre