FOREST fires have killed at least 19 people and forced 50,000 to evacuate their homes as they swept through thousands of acres across central and southern Chile.

Fifteen wildfires were still active on Monday after fires started on Sunday in the South American nation, according to the National Service for the Prevention of Disasters. 

The agency said the wildfires have destroyed 325 homes, with 1,140 damaged. 

Outgoing Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in the central Biobio and neighbouring Nuble regions on Sunday. 

The emergency designation allows greater co-ordination with the military to rein in wildfires.

The president said that the wildfires have blazed through at least 30,000 hectares, an area roughly five times the size of Manhattan Island.

“Controlling fires of this magnitude, with unfavourable weather conditions like high temperature, wind and a lack of humidity is a tremendously difficult job,” President Boric said in a press conference on Monday.

The president thanked nations that have sent firefighters and supplies to Chile, including Mexico, Argentina and Brazil.

The cause of the wildfires is being investigated.