Chilean President Gabriel Boric has declared a state of emergency in the southern regions of Nuble and Biobio following devastating wildfires that have claimed at least 18 lives and displaced more than 50,000 residents. The catastrophic blazes, fueled by strong winds and extreme summer temperatures, have been burning uncontrollably for two days approximately 500 kilometers south of Santiago.
The most severe human losses have been concentrated in the city of Penco, according to local Mayor Rodrigo Vera. Survivors describe harrowing escapes from fast-moving flames that consumed entire communities overnight. “We had to leave with the shirts on our back. If we had stayed another 20 minutes we would have burned to death,” recounted Matias Cid, a 25-year-old student from Penco.
The aftermath reveals apocalyptic scenes of charred ruins, destroyed vehicles, and smoldering landscapes where homes once stood. In the port town of Lirquen, residents fled to beaches for safety as fire engulfed residential areas. “There is nothing left standing,” said Alejandro Arredondo, 57, surveying the metal and wood debris that comprised his neighborhood.
President Boric has mobilized all available resources, including nearly 4,000 firefighters and military personnel, warning that the death toll is likely to rise. The declaration of emergency enables armed forces deployment to assist containment efforts. The National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response reports that evacuations have been most extensive in Penco and Lirquen, with a combined population of approximately 60,000 people.
Weather conditions continue to hinder firefighting operations, with forecasts predicting persistent high temperatures and strong winds. This tragedy marks another chapter in Chile’s growing climate crisis, following February 2024 wildfires near Vina del Mar that killed 138 people. Experts increasingly attribute these extreme weather events to climate change impacts affecting the South American nation.