At least 23 dead as dozens of wildfires torch forests in Chile

A helicopter assists during a wildfire in Santa Juana, near Concepcion, Chile, February 3, 2023. REUTERS/Juan Gonzalez .

SANTIAGO (Reuters) -Dozens of wildfires blazing though Chile caused the government to extend an emergency order to another region on Saturday, as a scorching summer heat wave complicates efforts to control fires that have claimed at least 23 lives so far.

More than 1,100 people have sought refuge in shelters while at least 979 people have been reported injured by the raging fires, according to an official briefing later on Saturday.