Chilean President Gabriel Boric announced a state of catastrophe on January 18, 2025. Wildfires severely impacted Ñuble and Biobío regions, resulting in the loss of many lives and homes. Implementation of the law has gone off the deep end. At least 18 lives have been lost, and nearly 20,000 people have been evacuated from their homes by the rapidly spreading flames.
The Ñuble and Biobío regions are located roughly 500 kilometers south of Santiago, Chile’s capital city. These communities are now at the center of this disaster. As of Sunday morning, Chile’s National Forestry Corporation (CONAF) was reporting 24 active fires throughout the country. The worst of this year’s destruction is focused now in two areas. Those wildfires have burned close to 21,000 acres, putting lives and livelihoods at risk.
With the situation continuing to escalate, on Sunday evening President Boric convened mayors from impacted municipalities to Concepcion. He reiterated the state’s dedication to using every resource as they focus on battling the fires and aiding those residents who have been displaced.
“In light of the serious ongoing wildfires, I have decided to declare a state of catastrophe in the regions of Ñuble and Bio Bío. All resources are available,” – Chilean President Gabriel Boric
The effect of the wildfires has been tragic and life altering. In a press release from Chile’s National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (Senapred), officials stated there have been 250 homes completely destroyed. Evacuation orders have been called for several nearby communities considered to be at extreme risk because of the closeness of the fires.
These impacts would be exacerbated by extreme heat alerts running nationwide in much of Chile. This weekend, there are forecasts of record-high temperatures reaching as high as 38°C (100°F) in regions from Santiago to Biobío. This extreme heat has fueled explosive wildfire growth and has made the act of firefighting more dangerous and difficult.
The federal government is still monitoring the situation, as emergency crews are battling around the clock to get the fires under control. Firefighters fight an amazing wall of flames on a daily basis. Intense winds only make their task more difficult as they try to get the upper hand on the fires.
