Chile declares ‘state of catastrophe’ as wildfires kill at least 18

Wildfires swept through central and southern Chile on Sunday, January 18, 2026, resulting in at least 18 deaths and forcing thousands to flee. The fires have scorched thousands of acres of forest and destroyed hundreds of homes, particularly in the Biobio and Ñuble regions, located approximately 300 miles south of Santiago. The country is experiencing a heat wave, exacerbating the situation. Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in the affected regions, enabling increased resources and aid to combat the emergency. Firefighters are battling the blazes as families are displaced and homes are lost in the affected areas, including Lirquen.

Uncontrolled wildfires in the Nuble and Biobio regions of southern Chile have killed at least 18 people and displaced over 50,000. The fires, burning for two days approximately 500 km south of Santiago, are fueled by strong winds and high temperatures during the southern hemisphere summer. President Gabriel Boric declared a state of emergency in the affected regions, enabling the deployment of the armed forces to assist nearly 4,000 firefighters. The blazes have devastated communities, leaving behind charred homes and vehicles, with many fatalities reported in the city of Penco. Authorities are working to contain the fires and provide aid to those affected.

Forest fires in south-central Chile have killed at least 18 people, prompting President Gabriel Boric to declare a state of emergency in the Biobio and Nuble regions on Sunday, January 18, 2026. Over two dozen active fires have forced the evacuation of more than 50,000 residents, primarily from the cities of Penco and Lirquen. The fires have destroyed at least 250 homes and burned approximately 85 square kilometers. The state of emergency allows the armed forces to assist in firefighting efforts, which are expected to be complicated by unfavorable weather conditions. The blazes are occurring in regions that experienced devastating fires in February 2024, which resulted in over 130 deaths.

Chilean President Gabriel Boric has declared a state of catastrophe in the Ñuble and Biobío regions due to deadly wildfires. As of Sunday, at least 16 people have died, and 20,000 have been evacuated as fires rage through dry forests, destroying approximately 250 homes near Concepción. Firefighters are battling 24 fires across the country, with the most threatening located in the declared regions, affecting 20,000 hectares. Strong winds and high summer temperatures are exacerbating the situation, hindering firefighting efforts and endangering communities. The declaration allows for the allocation of all available resources to combat the fires.