Chile battles worst forest fires in its history

Chile is battling the worst forest fires in its history "affecting an area 20 times larger than in 2016," Chilean President Michelle Bachelet said on Twitter Monday, reports China's Xinhua news agency.

The message came as firefighters battled 110 fires, 23 of them considered to be "large scale," spreading over 200 hectares or more, the El Mercurio daily reported online.

Another 76 fires have been brought under control by the National Forest Corporation (Conaf).

Chile's Minister of Foreign Affairs Heraldo Munoz told reporters his country has requested international aid to tackle the blazes.

The United States, Argentina, Mexico and France have offered to help, Munoz said.

Fires have destroyed more than 127,000 hectares of crops and vegetation in six regions in the northern, southern and central parts of the country.

Three firefighters have died battling the fires, which have also razed homes and killed cattle, birds and other forest faunas.

Some 2,000 volunteers have joined the Conaf to help stamp out the fires.

Bachelet has declared three regions to be in a state of emergency.

-- BERNAMA