​​​​​​​ISTANBUL

Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of emergency in the central regions of Maule and Nuble and imposed a nighttime curfew Saturday in parts of the Araucania region amid a wildfire crisis.

The government confirmed the curfew on X, stating it applies to 11 communes in Araucania from 10 p.m. Saturday (0100GMT Sunday) to 6 a.m. Sunday

Approximately 15 active fire outbreaks have been reported, exacerbated by high temperatures.

Boric said there are “well-founded reasons to believe that a large part of the fires affecting La Araucania are intentional,” Chilean news outlet T13 reported.

He said at a news conference at the presidential palace that he instructed the police to investigate and identify those responsible.

The crisis follows last year’s devastating wildfires in the Valparaiso region which killed at least 136 people and destroyed more than 6,600 homes.​​​​​​​