Chile faces one of its worst environmental disasters in recent years as raging forest fires in the south-central regions have killed at least 18 people and prompted the evacuation of 50,000 residents. President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe on January 19, 2026, mobilizing military resources to combat 24 active blazes that have already consumed 8,500 hectares of land.
Interior Minister Alvaro Elizalde described scenes of devastation, with charred bodies discovered in fields, vehicles, and homes. The city of Concepcion in Biobio region alone reported 253 homes destroyed, though the full scale of property damage remains unclear. Many residents were caught unprepared as flames spread rapidly after midnight, trapping families before they could escape.
"This is an unprecedented challenge," President Boric stated during a press briefing. "We are deploying all available resources to protect lives and contain the fires." The catastrophe declaration enables expanded emergency powers and international assistance coordination.
Meteorologists attribute the crisis to a combination of prolonged drought and extreme summer temperatures across southern South America. The disaster highlights growing climate vulnerabilities in the region, with analysts warning of increased wildfire risks throughout 2026.
