Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in Ñuble and Bío Bío after fast-moving wildfires killed at least 18 and forced nearly 20,000 people to evacuate. Firefighters are battling 24 active blazes that have burned about 8,500 hectares (21,000 acres) and destroyed at least 250 homes. Strong winds and extreme heat — up to 38°C (100°F) — have complicated containment efforts. Authorities are mobilizing resources as investigations and damage assessments continue.
Chile Declares State Of Catastrophe As Wildfires Kill 18, Force Nearly 20,000 To Evacuate
A firefighter stands in front of a burning building as fire and smoke rise from a forest fire in the Biobio region where, according to local media, multiple wildfires prompted emergency evacuations, in Concepcion, Chile, January 18, 2026. REUTERS/Juan Gonzalez
SANTIAGO, Jan 18 — Chilean President Gabriel Boric on Sunday declared a state of catastrophe in the southern regions of Ñuble and Bío Bío after fast-moving wildfires killed at least 18 people and forced nearly 20,000 residents to evacuate.
Chile's National Forest Corporation (CONAF) reported firefighters were battling 24 active blazes across the country, with the most severe fires concentrated in Ñuble and Bío Bío, roughly 500 km south of the capital, Santiago. Authorities said the fires had consumed about 8,500 hectares (21,000 acres) in those two regions and threatened multiple communities.
"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,"
After meeting with mayors in Concepción, Boric confirmed at least 18 fatalities. Chile's disaster agency, Senapred, said almost 20,000 people had been evacuated and that at least 250 homes have been destroyed.
Authorities warned that strong winds and extreme heat — with temperatures forecast to reach as high as 38°C (100°F) from Santiago to Bío Bío on Sunday and Monday — have accelerated fire spread and made containment efforts more difficult for firefighters.
Both Chile and neighboring Argentina have experienced intense heat waves since the start of the year. Argentina’s Patagonia suffered devastating wildfires earlier this month, underscoring the broader regional risk from high temperatures and dry conditions.
Government agencies and emergency services are mobilizing resources to support evacuations, protect at-risk communities and contain the remaining blazes. Investigations into causes and assessments of damage are ongoing.
(Reporting by Alexander Villegas in Santiago; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
People embrace each other in front of burnt buildings in the aftermath of a forest fire in the Biobio region where, according to local media, multiple wildfires prompted emergency evacuations, in Concepcion, Chile, January 18, 2026. REUTERS/Juan Gonzalez
A ship navigates through smoke caused by a forest fire, that prompted multiple emergency evacuations in Lirquen, near Concepcion, Chile, January 18, 2026. REUTERS/Jose Luis Saavedra
A firefighter tries to extinguish a fire in front of a burning building as fire and smoke rise from a forest fire in the Biobio region where, according to local media, multiple wildfires prompted emergency evacuations, in Concepcion, Chile, January 18, 2026. REUTERS/Juan Gonzalez
A person pets a dog in the aftermath of a forest fire in the Biobio region where, according to local media, multiple wildfires prompted emergency evacuations, in Concepcion, Chile, January 18, 2026. REUTERS/Juan Gonzalez
People sit outside on a sofa, after a forest fire that prompted multiple emergency evacuations, in Lirquen, near Concepcion, Chile January 18, 2026. REUTERS/Jose Luis Saavedra
A drone view shows damaged buildings in the aftermath of a forest fire in the Biobio region where, according to local media, multiple wildfires prompted emergency evacuations, in Concepcion, Chile, January 18, 2026. REUTERS/Juan Gonzalez
Firefighters stand in front of a burning building in the aftermath of a forest fire in the Biobio region where, according to local media, multiple wildfires prompted emergency evacuations, in Concepcion, Chile, January 18, 2026. REUTERS/Juan Gonzalez
A person walks outside damaged buildings in the aftermath of a forest fire in the Biobio region where, according to local media, multiple wildfires prompted emergency evacuations, in Concepcion, Chile, January 18, 2026. REUTERS/Juan Gonzalez
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