Chilean President Gabriel Boric has declared a state of catastrophe in the Biobío and Ñuble regions of central and southern Chile due to ongoing wildfires. The fires have resulted in at least 18 fatalities, displaced over 50,000 people, and destroyed hundreds of homes. Emergency services, supported by the military, are working to contain the more than two dozen active fires, which are being intensified by high temperatures and strong winds.
State of Catastrophe Declared
President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe for the Biobío and Ñuble regions, situated approximately 500 kilometers south of the capital, Santiago. This declaration facilitates enhanced coordination with the military to manage the emergency and deploy resources.
Impact and Casualties
The wildfires have led to significant human and property losses:
- Fatalities: At least 18 deaths have been confirmed, with President Boric indicating the number is expected to increase. Bodies were discovered in various locations, including fields, homes, roads, and cars. Most fatalities were reported in Penco.
- Displacements: Over 50,000 people have been evacuated or displaced, with most evacuations occurring in the cities of Penco and Lirquen within the Biobío region. Residents in Lirquen reportedly sought safety on the beach.
- Property Damage: Hundreds of homes have been destroyed. Initial reports suggested over 300 homes were lost, with President Boric estimating the total number of affected homes in the Biobío region alone could exceed 1,000. Specifically, 253 homes were reported destroyed in the municipality of Concepción. Damages in Penco included cars, a school, and a church.
- Affected Area: The fires have consumed an area estimated at 8,500 hectares (approximately 21,000 acres or 85 square kilometers) across the Biobío and Ñuble regions. One report indicated an initial impact area of 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres).
Emergency Response
Chile's forestry agency, Conaf, reported more than two dozen active fires nationwide, with the most significant threats concentrated in Ñuble and Biobío. Firefighters are actively engaged in containment efforts. President Boric stated that all available resources are being deployed to address the situation.
A nighttime curfew has been implemented in the most severely impacted areas to facilitate emergency operations and ensure public safety.
Challenges and Conditions
Firefighting efforts have been complicated by prevailing weather conditions, including strong winds and high summer temperatures. Temperatures have exceeded 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) and are forecast to remain extreme in the coming days. Interior Minister Álvaro Elizalde noted that weather conditions were not expected to improve soon.
Local officials, including Rodrigo Vera, the mayor of Penco, reported delays in federal government assistance during the initial hours of the fires. Residents described the rapid spread of the fires, which began after midnight, prompting urgent evacuations.
Historical Context
Wildfires are a recurring challenge in central and southern Chile during the summer months, typically peaking in February amidst high temperatures and prolonged drought conditions. Previous major fire events include:
- Forest fires in the Valparaíso region two years prior, which resulted in at least 120 fatalities.
- Wildfires on Chile's central coastline in 2024, which caused over 130 deaths.
Neighboring Argentina has also recently faced wildfires in its southern Patagonia area under similar hot, dry conditions.