Wildfires devastate Central Chile, Kill 18 as over 50,000 evacuated

Fast-moving wildfires sweeping through Chile’s central Biobío region and the neighbouring Ñuble region have claimed at least 18 lives , destroyed hundreds of homes, and forced the evacuation of over 50,000 residents . Extreme heat and strong winds continue to hamper firefighting efforts, making containment difficult. These regions are located approximately 500 kilometres south of Santiago , the country’s capital, highlighting the scale and distance of the disaster from urban centres.

The blazes, which began spreading rapidly from January 18 , have scorched thousands of hectares of land and remain far from fully subdued , with officials confirming that at least 24 fires are still active . Temperatures hovering around 38 degrees Celsius , combined with dry vegetation and gusty winds, have created dangerous fire conditions.

President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in the worst-hit areas, including the coastal town of Penco , where officials warned that up to 3,000 homes were at risk . The declaration has enabled the deployment of the military to assist with evacuations and emergency response.

Authorities cautioned that strong winds could reignite hotspots, particularly near critical infrastructure , even as containment operations continue. While social media posts have circulated unverified claims blaming foreign tourists for the fires, officials said there is no evidence of arson , adding that the cause remains under investigation and that the blazes are being driven primarily by extreme weather conditions.

Firefighting and relief operations were ongoing on Sunday, with authorities warning that conditions remain volatile.