US EditionChile’s Incoming President Inherits Crisis as Raging Wildfires Kill 19
At least 19 dead and over 300 homes destroyed as 26 wildfires spread amid extreme heat and drought conditions, officials said.
- Chile declared a state of catastrophe on Monday, Jan. 19 after a massive wildfire, one of 26 blazes firefighters battled that killed at least 19 people, with the largest fire near Concepcion, central coastal region.
- Ongoing heatwaves in Chile and Argentina scorched central and southern Chile with temperatures near or above 100F, as extreme heat and strong winds fanned this week's flames.
- Franco Caamaño said `It came like lightning, it was so quick` as wildfires destroyed more than 300 homes and burned more than 54,000 acres in Lirquen.
- Prolonged drought has strained Chile's water resources, with 19 straight years of below-average precipitation disrupting agriculture and industrial activities, while the green energy program launched in 2019 phases out coal plants for solar thermal plants and batteries.
- Long-Term trends indicate 2025 ranked as the planet's third-warmest year and the 2016–2025 period was the driest decade, Chile's Meteorological Directorate reported.
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The Straits Times
InternazionaleChile’s fire-ravaged communities pull together as frustrations mount over state response
CONCEPCION, Chile, Jan 21 - Fires near the southern Chilean city of Concepcion were dying down by Wednesday morning as cloudy weather and humid air brought cooler temperatures to the coastal region after days of extreme heat fueled the deadly blaze. Read more at straitstimes.com.
At least 19 dead as catastrophic wildfires and extreme heat rip through vast region: 'It came like lightning, it was so quick'
Chile declared a state of catastrophe on Monday, Jan. 19, after a massive wildfire, one of 26 blazes firefighters were battling across the country, killed at least 19 people, per CNN. Wildfires have charred more than 54,000 acres so far, affecting an area roughly the size of Cleveland. The largest fire struck near Concepcion in Chile's central coastal region. The fire spread rapidly, catching many by surprise, including the Caamaño family. Ana …
Chile is facing unprecedented forest fires, which have already claimed the lives of at least 19 people and caused significant material damage. The regions hardest hit by the flames are Nuble and Biobio, where the fires have engulfed large areas of forest and agricultural land. In the city of Lirquen, almost no house has remained intact, while at least 300 residential buildings have been completely destroyed. In addition, about 50,000 people acro…
Chile wildfire death toll rises to 18, state of emergency declared
Chilean President Gabriel Boric said on Sunday that the death toll from wildfires ravaging the country's south-central region has reached 18 and is expected to rise further."Today we have a confirmed number of 18 fatalities, but unfortunately we are
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