More than 250 homes have been destroyed by the fires./SCREENGRAB

Chilean President Gabriel Boric has declared a state of catastrophe in two regions where deadly wildfires are raging.

At least 16 people are confirmed dead in the Ñuble and Biobío regions, about 500km (300 miles) south of the capital Santiago. At least 20,000 have been evacuated.

The most dangerous fire has swept through dry forests bordering the coastal city of Concepción. About 250 homes have been destroyed, disaster officials said.

Local media show pictures of charred cars in the streets. Chile has experienced a series of devastating fires in recent years, worsened by long-term drought.

Chile's forestry agency, Conaf, said firefighters were battling a total of 24 fires across the country on Sunday. The most threatening, it added, were in Ñuble and Biobío.

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The fires have affected 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres) in the two regions so far, local media say.

Much of Chile is under heat alerts, with temperatures expected to reach 38C between Santiago and Biobío in the next two days.