Several dead, thousands displaced – Chile declares 'state of catastrophe' after deadly wildfires erupt

At least 16 people have died and nearly 20,000 others have fled to safety after the fires, while a "state of disaster" was declared in Chile.
Firefighters were battling 24 different fires across the country on Sunday morning, with the worst burning in the Nuble and Bio Bio regions, where the government declared a state of emergency.
The regions are about 500 km (310 miles) south of the capital Santiago.
Create a group for information on the fires in the entire region of Ñuble that are happening today https://t.co/EyReo3fYVu pic.twitter.com/BrLDP6cLp8
— Emergencias Región de Ñuble (@emergenciasnu) January 17, 2026
"In light of the serious ongoing fires, I have decided to declare a state of disaster in the Nuble and Bio Bío regions. All resources are available," Chilean President Gabriel Boric wrote on social media.
Evacuation efforts saw nearly 20,000 people flee their homes while more than 250 properties were destroyed, according to Chilean authorities.
🔥 CATASTROPHIC FIRES IN SOUTHERN CHILE 🔥
At least 15 dead, 50,000+ evacuated, and hundreds of homes destroyed as 14 wildfires rage across the Ñuble and Biobío regions.
Thousands of hectares have burned, with emergency crews and the military battling the blaze. pic.twitter.com/eRMlz5DdZL
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) January 18, 2026
Security Minister Luis Cordero told reporters that 15 deaths had been confirmed in Bio Bio after the government confirmed one death in Nuble on Saturday.
Strong winds and extremely high temperatures are worsening the situation, authorities say. /Telegrafi/




















































