At least 18 people are killed by Chilean wildfires as heat and wind fuel the flames
President Boric has declared a state of catastrophe as fires lead to the evacuation of 20,000 people and the destruction of homes throughout southern Chile.
Wildfires fueled by intense heat and powerful winds have resulted in the deaths of at least 18 individuals in southern Chile, prompting tens of thousands to evacuate their residences.
On Sunday, President Gabriel Boric announced a state of catastrophe in the Ñuble and Bío Bío regions, where the fires have led to extensive devastation. The two regions lie approximately 500 km to the south of the capital, Santiago.
“Due to the severe wildfires currently affecting the area, I have made the decision to declare a state of catastrophe in the regions of Ñuble and Biobío.” Boric stated in a post on X, “All resources are available.”
As of Sunday morning, Chile’s CONAF forestry agency reported that firefighters were engaged in combatting 24 active fires across the nation, with the most intense ones located in Ñuble and Bío Bío. Boric subsequently confirmed that at least 18 individuals had lost their lives after a meeting with mayors from the impacted municipalities in the southern city of Concepcion.
Officials reported that approximately 8,500 hectares have been scorched to date, endangering multiple communities and leading to evacuation orders. The Senapred disaster agency reported that nearly 20,000 individuals have been evacuated, and at least 250 homes have been destroyed.
Emergency officials reported that strong winds and elevated temperatures have intensified the spread of the fires, complicating containment efforts. Significant areas of Chile faced extreme heat warnings, with temperatures projected to soar to 38°C from Santiago to Bío Bío on Sunday and Monday.
Since the beginning of the year, both Chile and its neighboring country, Argentina, have experienced severe heat waves. This month, comparable conditions ignited devastating wildfires in the Patagonia region of Argentina.
