US EditionWildfires in Chile Kill at Least 16 People, Force More than 50,000 to Evacuate
- On January 18, 2026, Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe for the Ñuble and Biobío regions after wildfires killed at least 16 and forced about 20,000 evacuations.
- Strong winds and high temperatures up to 38 C fuelled fires and hampered control efforts, while Interior Minister Álvaro Elizalde warned, `Weather conditions for coming hours are not good and indicate extreme temperatures`.
- CONAF reported nearly 8,500 hectares burned, 24 active fires and nearly 4,000 firefighters deployed, with at least 250 homes destroyed.
- Security Minister Luis Cordero said the emergency allows armed forces to assist, with up to 50,000 evacuated, more than 630 sheltering in nine active shelters, and over 1,500 disaster victims.
- Longstanding drought and past deadly blazes mean south-central Chile faces recurring wildfire risk, with 2024 fires that killed at least 130 people illustrating this vulnerability.
343 Articles
343 Articles
At Least 18 Dead as Wildfires Rage Through Chile amid 'Extreme Temperatures'
Chilean President Gabriel Boric has declared a state of emergency in the country, where 50,000 people have now been evacuated and hundreds of houses have been destroyedGUILLERMO SALGADO / AFP via Getty Wildfires are pictured in Concepción, Chile on Jan. 18, 2026NEED TO KNOWAt least 18 people have died in Chile amid wildfires sweeping the countryChilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of emergency on Sunday, Jan. 18Around 300 houses have…
Wildfires are raging out of control in southern Chile, leaving charred ruins and killing 19 people, officials said Sunday, updating the death toll.
‘State of catastrophe’ in southern Chile as wildfires leave at least 16 people dead and force 20,000 to flee
Chilean president Gabriel Boric announced a state of catastrophe in two regions in the south of the country early yesterday as raging wildfires forced at least 20,000 people to evacuate and left at least 16 people dead.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 39% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
