Death toll from Chilean fire goes up to 16

The death toll after the Chilean fire has gone up to at least 16.

The large forest fire has already multiple homes and caused large evacuations. Officials said previously that the death toll was expected to rise.

According to CNN the Valparaiso fire forced 10,000 people to evacuate the area, already destroying 500 homes. The fire has already taken over 2,000 acres of land, as reported from Chile’s National Emergency Office.

“It’s been one of the worst fires in history,” fire superintendent, Fernando Reseio, said.

The fire has been declared as a state of emergency, allowing military involvement to proceed in the area.

The Associated Press reports that most of the blaze has been controlled by firefighters, however it took 18 helicopters and planes dropping water to get to this point.

Thick clouds of smoke still cover the area, but many have been able to return to the Valparaiso. Shelters are still overflowing with people whose homes have been destroyed.