Chile is facing another devastating wildfire crisis. Fires burning across the center and south of the country have killed at least 19 people and forced around 50,000 residents to evacuate.
Firefighters have worked nonstop since Sunday. As of Monday, 15 wildfires remain active, according to Chile’s National Service for the Prevention of Disasters. The fires have already torn through forests, neighborhoods, and key infrastructure.
Communities Burn Across Central and Southern Chile
Entire neighborhoods have suffered heavy damage. In cities like Tomé and Lirquén, flames reached residential areas. Homes, vehicles, and personal belongings burned as residents rushed to escape.
Images from the region show families standing in front of destroyed homes. The damage stretches across wide sections of central and southern Chile. Officials say the fires have burned more than 30,000 hectares of land. That area equals about five times the size of Manhattan.
A State of Catastrophe Is Declared
President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe on Sunday. The order covers the Biobío region and the neighboring Ñuble region. It allows the government to bring in military support and improve coordination during the emergency.
Boric addressed the nation on Monday. He warned that extreme heat, strong winds, and low humidity are making firefighting efforts much harder. He called the situation “tremendously difficult” and praised firefighters working on the front lines.
International Help Arrives
Several countries have stepped in to help. Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil have sent firefighters and emergency supplies. Boric thanked those nations for their support and said international cooperation remains critical during large-scale disasters.
Homes Destroyed and Lives Disrupted
Chilean officials report that wildfires have destroyed at least 325 homes. Another 1,140 homes have suffered damage. Thousands of families now face displacement as fires continue to threaten communities.
Police are investigating what caused the fires. Boric said human behavior plays a role in nearly all wildfire cases in Chile.
A Familiar and Growing Threat
Wildfires regularly affect Chile during the summer months. Hot temperatures and dry conditions create dangerous fire risks. Still, this outbreak ranks among the deadliest in recent years.
In 2024, massive fires along Chile’s central coast killed at least 130 people. That disaster became the country’s deadliest since the 2010 earthquake.
As firefighters continue their work, communities across Chile face another painful chapter. The fires serve as a stark reminder of how quickly disaster can strike and how hard recovery can be.
