Chilean President Gabriel Boric has officially declared a state of catastrophe in two regions, following devastating wildfires that have resulted in at least 18 fatalities. The wildfires are primarily affecting the Ñuble and Biobío regions, located approximately 500 kilometers (300 miles) south of the capital, Santiago.
In addition to the fatalities, over 50,000 individuals have been evacuated from their homes as the wildfires continue to rage. President Boric indicated that the number of casualties may rise as the situation develops. The most severe fire is currently threatening the dry forests adjacent to the coastal city of Concepción, where disaster officials report that around 250 homes have been engulfed in flames.
Firefighting efforts and evacuations
Images from local news outlets depict streets lined with charred vehicles, illustrating the devastating impact of the fires. According to Chile’s forestry agency, Conaf, firefighters are actively combating 24 separate wildfires across the nation, with the most critical outbreaks located in the Ñuble and Biobío regions. To date, the wildfires have scorched approximately 8,500 hectares (21,000 acres) of land.
“In light of the serious ongoing wildfires, I have decided to declare a state of catastrophe” in the two regions, Boric stated in a message on X. “All resources are available,” he assured.
Under the state of catastrophe, the Chilean armed forces can be mobilized to assist in firefighting and evacuation efforts. The majority of the recent evacuations have taken place in the cities of Penco and Lirquen, located just north of Concepción, which have a combined population of around 60,000 residents.
Heat wave exacerbates fire risk
The situation is further complicated by strong winds and high summer temperatures, which have intensified the fires and posed additional risks to nearby communities. Much of the country is currently under heat alerts, with temperatures predicted to soar up to 38°C between Santiago and Biobío in the coming days.
Chile has faced a series of catastrophic wildfires in recent years, largely attributed to prolonged drought conditions. Just two years ago, wildfires in the Valparaíso region near Santiago claimed the lives of at least 120 individuals, highlighting the ongoing challenges the nation faces in managing fire risks.