Chile Arrests Suspected Arsonist After 21 Killed in Forest Fires

Authorities in Chile on Thursday arrested a suspect for setting the massive Biobio forest fire, which killed at least 21 people.

Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in Biobio and neighboring Nuble this week and evacuated over 50,000 people as fires swept through some 21,000 acres of dry forests. The declaration of catastrophe enabled the Chilean armed forces to assist with evacuations and disaster relief.

Firefighters said on Monday they were battling 34 distinct blazes, with the most intense fires raging near the coastal city and regional capital of Concepcion. The fires pushed into residential areas and burned hundreds of homes to the ground. Almost 8,500 firefighters were deployed against the fast-moving fires.

High winds, uncommonly high temperatures, and a long-running drought