Chile is under a state of emergency as more than a dozen large wildfires threaten homes and businesses in the centre and south of the country.<br /><br /> A heat wave and high winds are fueling the flames, which have already scorched 50,000 hectares of land.<br /><br /> The military is helping firefighters and forestry workers, with helicopters and planes called in.<br /><br /> But residents are being forced to defend their own properties in some areas and crops and vineyards are also being wiped out. <br /><br /> Smoke from the fires has created a thick haze over a wide area.<br />
