Chile Wildfires Rage Out of Control, Killing 16 and Displacing Thousands

Wildfires sweeping through central and southern Chile have claimed at least 16 lives and left thousands homeless as of January 19, 2026, with blazes fueled by extreme heat and drought conditions continuing to spread uncontrollably.

Emergency services are battling multiple fronts, with evacuations underway in affected regions like Valparaíso and Biobío. President Gabriel Boric has declared a state of emergency, mobilizing military aid and international assistance to combat the fires, which have destroyed homes, farmland, and infrastructure. Climate experts link the severity to global warming, urging long-term mitigation strategies.

The disaster has prompted widespread calls for better forest management and has highlighted vulnerabilities in Latin America’s firefighting capabilities.