At least 18 individuals have lost their lives in Chile due to wildfires that have spread across the country amidst a severe heatwave. Central and southern regions of Chile were severely impacted by the wildfires on January 18, scorching through approximately 8,500 hectares (21,000 acres) of land. The ongoing heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 38C, along with strong winds, has made it challenging for firefighters to contain the flames. Interior Minister Álvaro Elizalde warned of extreme temperatures persisting in the coming hours.
The wildfires have further aggravated the situation in Chile, already grappling with a prolonged drought. President Gabriel Boric has declared a state of catastrophe in the central Biobio and neighboring Ñuble regions, located about 500 kilometers south of the capital, Santiago. This declaration enables the suspension of constitutional rights and enhanced coordination with the military to combat the over two dozen active wildfires.
During a press conference, Boric expressed concerns about the increasing death toll and property damage, with reports confirming 18 fatalities and 300 homes destroyed. The President estimated that the number of affected homes in the Biobio region alone could surpass a thousand. He emphasized the priority of extinguishing the fires while acknowledging the human tragedies and hardships faced by affected families.
Local authorities reported the rapid spread of fires in hillsides, leading to the evacuation of around 50,000 people. Residents expressed shock at the unexpected intensity of the fires, recounting harrowing experiences of being trapped in their homes. The devastation included burnt cars, a school, and a church, with charred remains discovered in various locations, underscoring the magnitude of the disaster.
Chile experiences wildfires annually, particularly intensifying during the summer months, reaching a peak in February. In 2024, a devastating wildfire outbreak claimed numerous lives along Chile’s central coastline, marking one of the country’s deadliest natural disasters since the 2010 earthquake.