Chile (Rajeev Sharma): Central and southern Chile are grappling with catastrophic wildfires that have claimed at least 18 lives, destroyed hundreds of homes, and forced tens of thousands to flee, officials said Sunday. The blazes, fueled by a severe heat wave, have already consumed more than 8,500 hectares (21,000 acres) of forest.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in the Biobío and Ñuble regions, about 500 kilometers south of the capital, Santiago. The measure allows the government to coordinate more closely with the military and emergency services to contain the over two dozen active fires raging across the affected areas.
Speaking from Concepción, a city heavily impacted by the flames, Boric extended condolences to the victims and warned that the human and material toll is likely to rise. Initial reports estimate at least 300 homes destroyed, but authorities said the actual number of affected households in Biobío alone may exceed 1,000. Around 50,000 residents have already been evacuated from high-risk zones.
Local officials criticized delays in emergency response. Rodrigo Vera, mayor of the coastal town of Penco, described scenes of destruction and frustration, saying, “A community is burning and there is no government presence… How can a minister do nothing but call me to say the military is on the way?”
Firefighters have struggled to control the flames amid scorching temperatures exceeding 38°C (100°F) and strong winds. Interior Minister Álvaro Elizalde cautioned that the extreme heat was expected to continue through Monday, complicating containment efforts.
Residents reported being caught off guard by the fast-moving fires. John Guzmán, a Penco resident, said, “Many people didn’t evacuate. They stayed in their houses thinking the fire would stop at the edge of the forest. It was completely out of control.” Eyewitnesses described homes, vehicles, schools, and churches consumed by flames, while thousands sought shelter in emergency facilities.
Authorities confirmed that charred bodies have been found across homes, roads, and fields, underscoring the scale of the disaster. Víctor Burboa, 54, lamented the loss of neighbors, saying, “Everyone here knew them.”
Wildfires are a recurring threat in central and southern Chile, typically peaking in February amid rising temperatures and ongoing drought conditions. The 2024 fire season had been particularly devastating, with over 130 lives lost along Chile’s central coast, marking the deadliest natural disaster since the 2010 earthquake.
Meanwhile, parts of neighboring Argentina have also faced extensive forest fires in recent weeks as southern Patagonia experiences unusually dry and hot conditions.
The Chilean government has imposed a nighttime curfew in the affected regions, prioritizing firefighting operations and ensuring civilian safety as the crisis continues.
