Chile Declares State of Catastrophe as Wildfires Kill 18 and Force 50,000 Evacuations
Chilean President Gabriel Boric has declared a state of catastrophe in the southern regions of Ñuble and Biobío as raging wildfires claimed at least 18 lives and forced more than 50,000 residents to flee their homes.
According to the country’s forestry agency, CONAF, firefighters were battling 24 active fires across Chile as of Sunday morning. The most severe blazes are concentrated in the two southern regions, roughly 500 km (310 miles) south of Santiago, the nation’s capital.
“In light of the serious ongoing wildfires, I have decided to declare a state of catastrophe in the regions of Ñuble and Biobío. All resources are available,” Boric said in a post on X, promising full government support for emergency response efforts.
The fires have already destroyed nearly 8,500 hectares (21,000 acres), leveling homes and threatening entire communities. Authorities have issued widespread evacuation orders as firefighters race to contain the flames.
Extreme heat and strong winds have fueled the blazes, complicating firefighting efforts. Much of central and southern Chile remains under extreme heat warnings, with temperatures forecast to reach up to 38°C (100°F) from Santiago to Biobío through Sunday and Monday.
South-central Chile has increasingly suffered from wildfires in recent years, reflecting the mounting impacts of climate change, including droughts, floods, and extreme weather events.
In February 2024, multiple fires near Viña del Mar, northwest of Santiago, killed 138 people, according to the public prosecutor’s office.
Authorities continue to mobilize all available resources, evacuate affected residents, and fight the flames as Chile faces another catastrophic wildfire season.
