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Wildfires in Chile Kill at Least 16 People, Force More than 50,000 to Evacuate
Chile's emergency declaration mobilizes military support as nearly 50,000 evacuate and wildfires consume over 8,500 hectares amid extreme heat and drought conditions.
- On Jan. 18, 2026, President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe for the Nuble and Biobio regions as wildfires killed at least 16 people and forced more than 50,000 to evacuate.
- A severe summer heat wave and prolonged drought since December created conditions highly favorable to wildfire ignition, with dry foehn-type winds and 38 C daytime temperatures.
- Fire agencies said nearly 4,000 firefighters are battling about 24 active wildfires as blazes have scorched close to 8,500 hectares and destroyed at least 250 homes.
- Authorities mobilized the military to support civilian crews and move residents, with Senapred reporting over 1,000 people in temporary shelters and nearly 20,000 residents moved to safety.
- CONAF warned the current season could become among the most severe in recent years, following February 2024 Vina del Mar fires that killed 138 people and over 20,000 hectares burned nationwide.
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Chile declares emergency as wildfires kill 18, force 20,000 to evacuate
According to Chile's CONAF forestry agency, firefighters were battling 24 active fires across the country as of Sunday morning, with the largest being in the regions of uble and Bo Bo, where the government declared the emergency. The regions are about 500 km south of the capital, Santiago.
·India
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Wildfires continue to rage in Chile, with the latest reports confirming 16 deaths, hundreds of homes destroyed, and over 20,000 people displaced.
Chile fires kill at least 18 as firefighters battle extreme heat, winds | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
SANTIAGO >> Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in two regions in the south of the country on Sunday as raging wildfires forced at least 20,000 people to evacuate and left at least 18 people dead.
·Honolulu, United States
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Total News Sources239
Leaning Left34Leaning Right36Center49Last UpdatedBias Distribution41% Center
Bias Distribution
- 41% of the sources are Center
41% Center
L 29%
C 41%
R 30%
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