Wildfires leave southern Chile communities devastated as death toll rises. JAN 21, 2026

Photo: Unsplash by Fabian Jones (illustrative)

Wildfires leave southern Chile communities devastated as death toll rises

Blazes sweep through Biobío and Ñuble regions, killing at least 20 people and exposing the growing impact of extreme heat and drought

Large-scale wildfires continue to devastate south-central Chile, leaving entire neighborhoods destroyed and communities struggling to cope with the aftermath as emergency crews brace for a return of extreme heat. The fires, burning for several days across the Biobío and Ñuble regions, have killed at least 20 people and affected thousands of residents, according to authorities.

The blazes have scorched an area comparable in size to a major metropolitan city, reducing homes, vehicles, and infrastructure to ashes. In coastal and hilltop communities such as Penco and the port town of Lirquén, charred streets and smoldering ruins mark the passage of fast-moving flames.

More than 7,000 people have been directly impacted by the disaster. While the government has announced emergency aid and financial assistance for affected families, many residents say immediate support has come largely from neighbors, volunteers, and local community groups.

Nearly 4,000 firefighters and emergency personnel remain deployed to battle more than 20 active fires across the affected regions, as well as in neighboring Araucanía. A brief period of cooler temperatures and higher humidity has slowed the advance of some fire fronts, but authorities warn that hotter and drier conditions are expected to return in the coming days.

Hundreds of homes have been destroyed or severely damaged. In some areas, fires ripped metal roofs from houses, shattered windows, and burned vehicles beyond recognition. Identification of victims has been slow, with several bodies rendered unrecognizable by the intensity of the flames.

Officials have confirmed that some of the fires may have been deliberately set, and at least one person has been arrested on suspicion of attempted arson. Investigations into the origins of the blazes are ongoing.

Southern and central Chile have faced increasingly destructive wildfire seasons in recent years, particularly during the peak summer months of January and February. Scientists link this trend to prolonged drought, rising temperatures, and changing climate patterns that have made vegetation drier and more flammable.

A 2024 study by Chilean climate researchers found that climate change has played a key role in shaping extreme fire seasons in the region, reinforcing concerns that such disasters are becoming more frequent and more severe.

As emergency crews continue containment efforts, thousands of families remain displaced or uncertain about when they will be able to return safely to their communities.

The Green Amazon News – International

This text was compiled using public data, scientific reports, and information from meteorological institutions.

The Green Amazon News — All rights reserved.

The Green Amazon News Editorial Team