SANTIAGO, Chile, January 19 — Wildfires in southern Chile have killed at least 15 people and forced more than 50,000 to evacuate, the government said Sunday. President Gabriel Boric declared a state of emergency as nearly 4,000 firefighters battled blazes fueled by extreme heat and wind.
What happened in Chile?
Wildfires burning out of control in the Nuble and Biobio regions, about 300 miles south of Santiago, have killed at least 15 people. Security Minister Luis Cordero said the toll came from 14 major blazes burning for two days. The government reported that more than 50,000 residents have been forced to leave their homes.
What Does the Emergency Declaration Mean?
President Gabriel Boric declared a state of emergency to mobilise all national resources. The declaration, announced on social media, means the armed forces will now join the firefight. “All resources are available,” Boric wrote. Interior Minister Alvaro Elizalde stated, “We face a complicated situation,” citing the scale of the crisis.
Where is the Impact Most Severe?
Most evacuations are in the Biobio region towns of Penco and Lirquen, said Alicia Cebrian, director of Chile’s disaster response agency. These towns have a combined population of around 60,000. Penco’s mayor, Rodrigo Vera, said 14 of the 15 fatalities occurred in his town. In Lirquen, residents fled to the beach to escape the flames.
How Did Residents Describe the Fires?
Accounts from the ground describe a rapid and devastating fire. Matias Cid, a 25-year-old student from Penco, told AFP his family barely escaped. “We had to leave with the shirts on our back. If we had stayed another 20 minutes we would have burned to death,” he said. Lirquen resident Alejandro Arredondo, 57, surveyed the damage: “There is nothing left standing.”
What is Making the Fires Worse?
Firefighters are battling a dangerous combination of weather. Temperatures were expected to reach 38 degrees Celsius (100°F) on Sunday and Monday, with strong gusting winds. Esteban Krause, a forest agency head in Biobio, said this forecast was bad for containment efforts. Chile’s CONAF forestry agency is fighting more than 20 fires nationwide.
Why Does this Keep Happening in Chile?
South-central Chile has faced severe wildfires in recent years. In February 2024, fires near Viña del Mar killed 138 people and affected 16,000 others. The latest flames are just another devastating setback during the summer months in the Southern Hemisphere, which are increasingly characterized by fierce fire seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How many fires are currently burning?
A: Chile’s CONAF forestry agency reported more than 20 forest fires being fought across the country as of Sunday.
Q: Are people being told to stay away?
A: Yes. The public has been advised by CONAF to stay away from locations where emergency crews are operating.
Q: Which specific towns are affected?
A: The towns of Penco and Lirquen in the Biobio region are the most affected, accounting for the majority of evacuations and fatalities.
