Persistent drought and La Niña conditions sustain widespread wildfires in Chile
Widespread wildfires have been burning across central and southern Chile since early December 2025, affecting seven regions and destroying at least 3 839 ha (9 480 acres) of land. As of January 15, 2026, two people have died, 10 were injured, and more than 2 100 are displaced, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
Wildfires in Chile on January 14, 2026. Credit: NASA Terra/MODIS, The Watchers
Wildfires have continued to spread across central and southern Chile since early December 2025, driven by heat, strong winds, and persistent drought.
The National Forest Corporation (CONAF) reported a burned area of approximately 3 839 ha (9 490 acres) as of January 15. Most fires are concentrated in Araucanía, Biobío, Libertador, Los Lagos, Maule, Metropolitana, and Valparaíso regions.
According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the wildfires have caused two deaths, 10 injuries, and displacement of about 2 168 people, while 159 have been directly affected through damage to homes and infrastructure
Chile’s National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (SENAPRED) continues to coordinate emergency operations with local fire brigades and volunteer groups.
The Joint Research Centre’s Global Wildfire Information System (GWIS) indicates that fire danger levels across central and northern Chile remain high to very extreme through mid-January. Satellite thermal anomaly data from NASA’s Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS) show multiple active hotspots in Biobío and Maule regions.
Dry weather and above-average temperatures are consistent with ongoing regional drought conditions influenced by La Niña, which continues to dominate the equatorial Pacific pattern during early 2026. Reduced soil moisture and dry vegetation have created favorable conditions for ignition and rapid spread.
The 2026 fire season follows several years of elevated wildfire activity. During the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons, Chile experienced multiple large-scale fires in Biobío and Araucanía that burned tens of thousands of hectares. Current totals remain below those record years but continue a pattern of increasing fire frequency and persistence under warmer, drier summer conditions.
Authorities are urging residents in affected areas to comply with evacuation advisories and fire bans.
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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