Chile declares a state of emergency as fast-spreading wildfires kill 18 people, destroy homes and force large-scale evacuations across the Nuble and Bío Bío regions
Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe on Sunday in two southern regions as wildfires spread rapidly, killing at least 18 people and forcing large-scale evacuations. The emergency covers the regions of Ñuble and Bío Bío, located about 500 km south of the capital, Santiago.
Chile’s CONAF forestry agency said firefighters were battling 24 active fires across the country as of Sunday morning. The largest blazes were concentrated in Ñuble and Bío Bío, prompting the government to impose emergency measures in those areas.
President announces full mobilisation of resources
“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,” Boric said in a post on X.
Later on Sunday evening, after meeting mayors from affected municipalities in the southern city of Concepcion, Boric said at least 18 people had died as a result of the fires.
Authorities said the fires have burned nearly 8,500 hectares (21,000 acres) across the two regions so far, threatening multiple communities and leading to evacuation orders. Chile’s Senapred disaster agency said nearly 20,000 people had been evacuated and at least 250 homes destroyed.
Extreme weather worsens conditions
Officials said strong winds and high temperatures have fuelled the spread of the fires and hampered efforts to bring them under control. Much of Chile remained under extreme heat alerts, with temperatures expected to reach up to 38 C (100 F) from Santiago to Bío Bío on Sunday and Monday.
Chile and neighbouring Argentina have experienced extreme temperatures and prolonged heat waves since the start of the year. Earlier this month, devastating wildfires also broke out in Argentina’s Patagonia region.
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