Uncontrolled wildfires have devastated large parts of southern Chile, killing at least 19 people and forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes, authorities confirmed on Sunday. The fast-moving blazes have left behind widespread destruction, with entire neighbourhoods reduced to ashes.
The fires have been burning for more than two days across the Nuble and Biobio regions, located around 500 kilometres south of the capital, Santiago. Strong winds and extreme summer heat have made containment efforts difficult, displacing more than 50,000 residents.
Hardest-hit areas include the town of Penco, where most of the fatalities have been reported. Residents described scenes of chaos as flames spread rapidly through residential zones, giving people little time to escape. Nearby Lirquen, a port town with a population of around 20,000, also witnessed massive damage as fires advanced within seconds, destroying homes and infrastructure.
Videos from the affected regions show scorched streets, burned vehicles and collapsed houses, highlighting the scale of the devastation. In Lirquen, several residents escaped by running toward the coastline, while security forces and soldiers patrolled the area as night fell.
President Gabriel Boric declared a state of emergency in the affected regions, enabling the deployment of armed forces to support nearly 4,000 firefighters battling the inferno. Night curfews were imposed in the worst-hit towns as authorities warned that conditions remained extremely challenging due to high temperatures and strong winds.
Officials said weather conditions are likely to worsen firefighting efforts. The disaster adds to growing concerns over climate change, as Chile continues to experience extreme weather events, including recurring wildfires, droughts and floods in recent years.

Fires ravage southern Chile, displacing over 50,000 amid heat and winds

Chile Wildfires Kill 19, Emergency Declared

Fires ravage southern Chile, displacing over 50,000 amid heat and winds

January 20, 2026 | 10:30 IST