Concepción

Concepción is a coastal city located in the Biobío region of central Chile, approximately 500km south of Santiago. The Biobío region, along with the neighboring Ñuble region, has recently been declared a 'state of catastrophe' by Chilean President Gabriel Boric due to devastating wildfires. These fires have resulted in at least 16 deaths in the affected regions and the evacuation of approximately 20,000 people. The most dangerous fire is currently sweeping through dry forests bordering Concepción, destroying around 250 homes. The region's vulnerability is exacerbated by a severe heatwave. Separately, the city is also home to the Teatro Regional del Biobío, a notable work by Chilean architect Smiljan Radić, who was recently awarded the Pritzker Prize.