Chile Battles Deadly Wildfires as Heatwave Fuels Blazes
Concepción, Chile – At least 18 people have died and hundreds of homes have been destroyed as wildfires rage across central and southern Chile, authorities said Sunday, with the country grappling with a severe heatwave and prolonged drought conditions. The blazes, impacting the regions of Biobio and Ñuble, approximately 500 kilometers (300 miles) south of the capital Santiago, have already scorched over 8,500 hectares (21,000 acres) of forest.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in the affected regions, a measure allowing for the suspension of constitutional rights and increased coordination with the military to combat the over two dozen active wildfires. Addressing the nation from Concepción, the hard-hit city in the Biobio region, Boric expressed condolences to the victims and warned that the initial death toll and damage estimates were likely to rise as assessments continue.
“The first priority, as you know, in these emergencies 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,” Boric stated. He estimated that more than a thousand homes in the Biobio region alone have been affected.
The speed and intensity of the fires have sparked criticism of the government’s response. Rodrigo Vera, the mayor of the coastal town of Penco, publicly voiced his frustration, stating on local radio, “I have been here for four hours, a community is burning and there is no (government) presence.” His plea highlighted the challenges faced by local authorities as residents evacuated, with reports of people trapped in their homes as the fires rapidly spread overnight.
Firefighters are battling the flames amidst soaring temperatures, which reached 38 C (100 F) on Sunday, and strong winds. Interior Minister Álvaro Elizalde warned that unfavorable weather conditions, including continued extreme heat, are expected to persist through Monday, hindering containment efforts.
Residents described a terrifying scene, with the fires erupting unexpectedly and quickly becoming uncontrollable. “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. “It was completely out of control. No one expected it.” Juan Lagos, 52, recounted fleeing with his children in the dark as flames engulfed the city, destroying homes, cars, a school, and a church.
The tragedy underscores the increasing vulnerability of Chile to wildfires, exacerbated by a years-long drought and rising temperatures linked to climate change. In February 2024, Chile experienced its deadliest natural disaster in over a decade, with wildfires claiming the lives of at least 130 people.
This latest outbreak comes as neighboring Argentina also struggles with wildfires in its Patagonia region, facing similar hot and dry conditions. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense globally, driven by climate change and land-use practices. The increasing frequency of these events poses a significant threat to ecosystems, infrastructure, and human lives.
The situation in Chile remains critical, with authorities urging residents to heed evacuation orders and remain vigilant. The government has pledged to provide support to affected communities and investigate the causes of the fires and the effectiveness of the response.
© 2026 The Canadian Press
