Chile has declared a state of catastrophe in response to rapidly spreading wildfires in the south of the country, after at least 18 people died and around 20,000 residents were forced to evacuate. President Gabriel Boric announced the measure on Sunday for the regions of Ñuble and Bío Bío, roughly 500 kilometres south of Santiago, as emergency teams struggled to contain dozens of active fires.
Authorities said the wildfires were fueled by extreme heat, strong winds, and prolonged drought conditions, making containment difficult. At least 24 separate fires were reported nationwide, with the most severe concentrated in Ñuble and Bío Bío. Together, these blazes have destroyed nearly 8,500 hectares (about 21,000 acres) of land, including forests and residential areas.
Chile’s National Forestry Corporation (CONAF) confirmed that approximately 20,000 people were evacuated from high‑risk areas, and at least 250 homes were destroyed. Disaster authorities are continuing evacuations and coordinating emergency shelters for those displaced by the fires.
The state of catastrophe allows the government to mobilize additional resources, including the armed forces, to assist firefighting and rescue operations. President Boric emphasized in a social media post that “all resources are available” to combat the crisis and protect affected communities.
Residents of towns such as Penco and Lirquén described fleeing rapidly moving flames, often taking only the clothes they were wearing as smoke and fire engulfed their neighbourhoods.
This wildfire emergency follows a broader heatwave affecting southern South America. Scientists warn that rising temperatures and prolonged droughts are increasing the intensity and frequency of fires in the region.
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