Chile grapples with deadly wildfires amid scorching heatwave
Santiago, Chile – At least 18 people have died and hundreds of homes have been destroyed as Chile battles a surge of wildfires fueled by record-breaking temperatures and a prolonged drought. The blazes, which erupted Sunday and continue to rage across central and southern Chile, have prompted a state of catastrophe declaration and a scramble for resources.
The hardest-hit regions are Biobio and Ñuble, approximately 500 kilometers (300 miles) south of the capital, Santiago. Chilean President Gabriel Boric warned that the death toll and extent of the damage are expected to rise as assessments continue. “These are difficult times,” Boric said during a press conference, acknowledging the human tragedy unfolding across the country. “The first priority… is always to fight and extinguish the fire. But we cannot forget, at any time, that there are human tragedies here, families who are suffering.”
Firefighters are struggling to contain the flames, which have already consumed 8,500 hectares (21,000 acres) of land. Intense heat, with temperatures exceeding 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) on Sunday, and strong winds are exacerbating the situation. Interior Minister Álvaro Elizalde stated that unfavorable weather conditions are forecast to persist through Monday, offering little respite.
The crisis has also exposed frustrations with the government’s response. Rodrigo Vera, the mayor of the coastal town of Penco in the Biobio region, publicly voiced his desperation on local radio, lamenting the lack of government presence and assistance. “How can a minister do nothing but call me to tell me that the military is going to arrive at some point?” he asked.
Residents described scenes of chaos and fear as the fires rapidly spread, catching many off guard. “Many people didn’t evacuate. They stayed in their houses because they thought the fire would stop at the edge of the forest,” said John Guzmán, 55, of Penco, surveying the devastation. Others recounted fleeing their homes in the dark with their families.
The fires have destroyed not only homes but also essential infrastructure, including schools and churches. Charred remains have been found across fields, along roads, and even inside vehicles. The loss is deeply felt within communities where residents knew each other well. “From what we can see, there are people who died… and we knew them well,” said Víctor Burboa, 54. “Everyone here knew them.”
Wildfires are a recurring summer threat in central and southern Chile, typically peaking in February. However, the intensity and scale of these current fires are particularly alarming, compounded by a years-long drought that has left vegetation tinder-dry. The 2024 wildfires, which claimed at least 130 lives, remain the country’s deadliest natural disaster since the 2010 earthquake, highlighting Chile’s vulnerability to extreme weather events.
The declaration of a state of catastrophe allows the suspension of certain constitutional rights and facilitates greater coordination with the military to combat the blazes. The government is mobilizing all available resources, but the scale of the disaster presents a significant challenge.
This latest tragedy underscores the growing global threat of wildfires, increasingly linked to climate change and exacerbated by drought conditions. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, wildfires are projected to increase by 50% globally by the end of the century, posing a significant risk to ecosystems, infrastructure, and human lives.
(Reporting by Javier Torres, AP and Tannur Anders. Published 00:38, 19 Jan 2026)
