Chile has declared a 'state of catastrophe' in two central regions as devastating wildfires rage out of control, claiming at least 18 lives and forcing tens of thousands from their homes.
President Declares Emergency Amid Widespread Destruction
On Sunday, 19 January 2026, Chilean President Gabriel Boric took to social media platform X to announce the drastic measure. "In light of the serious ongoing wildfires, I have decided to declare a state of catastrophe in the regions of Nuble and Bio Bío. All resources are available," he posted.
The worst of the blazes are concentrated in the Nuble and Bio Bio regions, approximately 500 kilometres south of the capital, Santiago. Firefighters were battling 24 separate fires across the country.
Local Officials Decry Lack of Immediate Federal Help
Despite the presidential declaration, local authorities reported a desperate and chaotic scene, with federal assistance slow to materialise. Rodrigo Vera, the mayor of the coastal town of Penco in Biobio, made a heartfelt public plea to President Boric.
"Dear President Boric, from the bottom of my heart, I have been here for four hours, a community is burning and there is no (government) presence," Vera said. He expressed frustration at being told the military would arrive "at some point," while destruction spread unchecked.
Residents Trapped as Fires Spread Unpredictably
The scale of the disaster is immense. Authorities confirm that more than 50,000 people have evacuated, with over 300 properties destroyed. An area of almost 33 square miles has already been scorched.
Residents described the terrifying speed of the fires, which many said took them by surprise after midnight on Saturday. John Guzman, 55, surveying the damage in Penco, said many did not evacuate as they believed the fire would stop at the forest's edge. "It was completely out of control. No one expected it," he stated.
The situation is being severely exacerbated by adverse weather conditions. Strong winds and unusually high temperatures are fuelling the flames, with alerts for extreme heat across much of Chile. Temperatures from Santiago to Bio Bio were forecast to reach up to 38°C (100°F) on Monday.
This crisis follows a pattern of extreme weather in South America. Both Chile and neighbouring Argentina have experienced intense heatwaves since the start of the year, with Argentina's Patagonia region also suffering devastating wildfires earlier in January.
