Chile Wildfires Kill 19 as Extreme Heat Fuels Blaze, Thousands Flee Homes

Wildfires sweeping through central and southern Chile have claimed at least 19 lives, authorities said, as extreme heat and strong winds continued to drive the flames. The government has ordered mass evacuations and emergency operations across several regions, where temperatures have climbed close to 37°C (99°F).

Security Minister Luis Cordero said on Monday that while overnight weather conditions helped firefighters gain control over some blazes, the largest fires remained active. Officials warned that the heat forecast for the day could spark new outbreaks.

“The projection we have today is of high temperatures,” Cordero told reporters, adding that the main concern was the risk of fresh fires starting across the region.

Fast-Moving Flames Leave Communities Devastated

Most of the fatalities occurred in Penco, a coastal town just north of Concepción, the capital of the Biobío region. Residents returned to devastated neighbourhoods on Monday, sifting through charred remains of homes as firefighters continued battling nearby fires.

One resident, Ana Caamaño, 51, described the loss of her family home in Lirquén. She said she and her husband had been visiting relatives when the fires erupted. Their son, Franco, was at home and attempted to douse the flames but was forced to flee when a sudden wind shift pushed a thick cloud of smoke toward the house.

“It came like lightning, it was so quick,” Franco said, reflecting the sudden and violent nature of the blaze that left many with little time to escape.

Authorities say 325 homes have been destroyed, with another 1,100 properties still being assessed for damage.

State of Catastrophe Declared in Hard-Hit Regions

Chile’s national forestry agency, CONAF, said firefighters were battling 26 active fires across the country as of Monday afternoon. The largest were concentrated in the Ñuble and Biobío regions.

President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe for the affected areas, enabling the government to mobilise resources and strengthen emergency response measures.

The wildfires come amid an intense heatwave that has brought extreme temperatures to central and southern Chile, heightening concerns about climate change and its role in increasing the frequency and intensity of such disasters.