At least fifteen people have been killed and tens of thousands forced to abandon their homes as a series of devastating wildfires tear through central and southern Chile. The blazes, erupting amid a punishing heatwave, have scorched thousands of hectares and reduced entire communities to ash.
A State of Catastrophe Declared
Facing what officials described as an unprecedented emergency, Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in the central Biobio and neighbouring Ñuble regions. This move, announced on Sunday 18 January 2026, enables greater military coordination to combat the infernos.
According to Security Minister Luis Cordero, the fires have already consumed approximately 8,500 hectares (21,000 acres) of land. The scale of the disaster has prompted the evacuation of an estimated 50,000 people from the affected zones.
Communities Overwhelmed by Rapid Blaze
Despite federal assurances, local officials reported feeling abandoned in the critical early hours. Rodrigo Vera, the mayor of the coastal town of Penco in Biobio, made a desperate public plea to President Boric, stating he had waited for help for four hours as his community burned.
Firefighters battled valiantly against the flames, but their efforts were severely hampered by strong winds and scorching temperatures exceeding 38°C (100°F). The fires, which many residents said took them completely by surprise after midnight, spread with terrifying speed.
"It was completely out of control. No one expected it," said John Guzmán, 55, in Penco, where an orange haze of smoke blotted out the sky. He explained that many residents did not evacuate, believing the fire would stop at the forest's edge, a fatal miscalculation.
Scenes of Devastation and Loss
The human and material toll is staggering. In the municipality of Concepcion alone, authorities reported 253 homes destroyed. The town of Penco suffered extensive damage, with fires engulfing cars, a school, and a church.
Tragically, charred bodies were discovered in fields, homes, along roads, and inside vehicles. Víctor Burboa, 54, sombrely noted that the victims were known to everyone in the close-knit community.
Survivors recounted harrowing escapes. Juan Lagos, 52, also in Penco, described fleeing in darkness with his children. The federal government has pledged all available resources, but for many, the help arrived too late to prevent a profound tragedy.
