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23 January 2026
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Destructive wildfires spread rapidly across South-Central Chile, 21 killed
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On 16 January 2026, major wildfires began burning in the Biobío and Ñuble regions of Chile. Over 45 000 hectares as of 21 January 2026 have been burned, killing 21 people and forcing over 50 000 to evacuate. A total of 75 fires were reported in the region and 33 remain active as of 20 January 2026. The towns of Lirquén and Penco, as well as some neighbourhoods of Concepción, suffered severe damage as a result of the fire. 325 homes were destroyed, 300 in Biobío and 25 in Ñuble. During firefighting efforts in Angol, a group of criminals attacked a fire engine.
The fires destroyed much of the coastal town of Lirquén and parts of Penco, both part of the Concepción metropolitan area. Eighteen fatalities were reported in Biobío, while another occurred in Ñuble. More than 630 people were sheltering in nine active shelters and 1 500 were left homeless.
At least 61 people were injured in Biobío and 14 in Ñuble, all of whom have been treated at medical facilities. 20 000 people suffered property damage and about 800 houses were destroyed.
Authorities were also evaluating damage to about 140 homes in Ñuble. Concepción was threatened by advancing fires and some structures were destroyed on the outskirts of the city. The largest fire, Trinitarias, had burned more than 23-kilometre and threatened more than 3 000 houses and a gas plant.
Drone footage showed six body bags on a road, a Coulson Aviation Boeing 737–300 putting out a fire and dozens of burned houses and vehicles. A state of emergency was declared in the two regions by President Gabriel Boric. Nearly 3 000 firefighters were deployed. Authorities reported 75 wildfires in the region and 33 remained active as of 20 January 2026. The fires have burned over 45 000 acres as of 21 January 2026.
The Chilean government's reaction to the fires has been criticised by various local politicians and mayors as slow. Rodrigo Vera, the mayor of Penco, said "from the bottom of my heart, I have been here for four hours" and that his town was burning without government presence.
On 21 January, Chile police arrested a man on suspicion of starting one of the wildfires. Security Minister Luis Cordero said the suspect used a liquid accelerant to start fires in a wheat field, with authorities seizing five litres of fuel from him. He was arrested at dawn in the town of Perquenco in Araucanía Region, south of Biobío.
Chilean president Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in Biobío and Ñuble and promised government support.
Sources: CNN, CTV News, Relief Web, France 24
The fires destroyed much of the coastal town of Lirquén and parts of Penco, both part of the Concepción metropolitan area. Eighteen fatalities were reported in Biobío, while another occurred in Ñuble. More than 630 people were sheltering in nine active shelters and 1 500 were left homeless.
At least 61 people were injured in Biobío and 14 in Ñuble, all of whom have been treated at medical facilities. 20 000 people suffered property damage and about 800 houses were destroyed.
Authorities were also evaluating damage to about 140 homes in Ñuble. Concepción was threatened by advancing fires and some structures were destroyed on the outskirts of the city. The largest fire, Trinitarias, had burned more than 23-kilometre and threatened more than 3 000 houses and a gas plant.
Drone footage showed six body bags on a road, a Coulson Aviation Boeing 737–300 putting out a fire and dozens of burned houses and vehicles. A state of emergency was declared in the two regions by President Gabriel Boric. Nearly 3 000 firefighters were deployed. Authorities reported 75 wildfires in the region and 33 remained active as of 20 January 2026. The fires have burned over 45 000 acres as of 21 January 2026.
The Chilean government's reaction to the fires has been criticised by various local politicians and mayors as slow. Rodrigo Vera, the mayor of Penco, said "from the bottom of my heart, I have been here for four hours" and that his town was burning without government presence.
On 21 January, Chile police arrested a man on suspicion of starting one of the wildfires. Security Minister Luis Cordero said the suspect used a liquid accelerant to start fires in a wheat field, with authorities seizing five litres of fuel from him. He was arrested at dawn in the town of Perquenco in Araucanía Region, south of Biobío.
Chilean president Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in Biobío and Ñuble and promised government support.
Sources: CNN, CTV News, Relief Web, France 24
