Chile is facing a devastating national emergency as deadly wildfires, fuelled by an intense heatwave, have killed at least 15 people and forced tens of thousands from their homes. The government has declared a state of catastrophe in two central regions.
State of Catastrophe Declared Amid Widespread Destruction
Chilean President Gabriel Boric announced the emergency measure for the central Biobío and Ñuble regions, located roughly 500km south of the capital, Santiago. The declaration enables greater military coordination to combat the crisis. According to Security Minister Luis Cordero, the fires have already consumed 8,500 hectares (21,000 acres) and prompted the evacuation of 50,000 people.
However, local officials reported a desperate lack of immediate federal support as flames spread. Rodrigo Vera, the mayor of the coastal town of Penco in Biobío, made a heartfelt plea directly to the president. "I have been here for four hours, a community is burning and there is no [government] presence," he said on Sunday, questioning delayed military assistance.
Communities Overwhelmed by Fast-Moving Flames
The fires, which erupted amid temperatures exceeding 38C (100F) and strong winds, caught many residents completely by surprise after midnight. In Penco, where the majority of fatalities occurred, the scene was one of utter devastation.
"It was completely out of control. No one expected it," said John Guzmán, 55, describing how smoke turned the sky an orange haze. Many residents tragically stayed in their homes, believing the fire would stop at the forest's edge.
Matias Cid, a 25-year-old student, described fleeing for his life. "We had to leave with the shirts on our back. If we had stayed another 20 minutes we would have burned to death," he told AFP. The fires ravaged the area, destroying a school, a church, and hundreds of homes. In the municipality of Concepción alone, 253 homes were reported destroyed.
A Landscape of Loss and Charred Remains
The human cost of the disaster became horrifyingly clear as charred bodies were discovered in fields, homes, vehicles, and along roadsides. Víctor Burboa, 54, sombrely noted, "From what we can see, there are people who died ... and we knew them well."
In the hard-hit port town of Lirquén, residents saved themselves by rushing to the beach. Alejandro Arredondo, 57, surveyed the aftermath: "There is nothing left standing," he said, looking at a landscape of smouldering metal and wood that were once family homes.
Firefighters continue to battle the blazes, but their efforts are severely hampered by the persistent scorching weather and windy conditions. The nation now faces a long and difficult recovery from one of its most severe wildfire disasters in recent years.
