Chilean President Gabriel Boric has declared a state of catastrophe in the southern regions of Ñuble and Biobío after wildfires killed at least 18 people and forced more than 50,000 residents to evacuate.
Chile’s forestry agency, CONAF, reported that firefighters are battling 24 active fires across the country, with the largest and most destructive fires in Ñuble and Biobío, roughly 500 km (310 miles) south of Santiago.
“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 on X.
The fires have burned nearly 8,500 hectares (21,000 acres) and continue to threaten communities. Authorities cited strong winds and extreme heat as factors driving the rapid spread, with temperatures forecast to hit 38°C (100°F) from Santiago to Biobío on Sunday and Monday.
South-central Chile has seen increasingly severe wildfires in recent years, fueled by climate change, droughts, and extreme weather events. In February 2024, multiple fires near Viña del Mar claimed 138 lives, according to the public prosecutor’s office.
