Rapidly spreading wildfires claim at least 16 lives in Ñuble and Biobío, Chile
Severe wildfires affecting Chile’s Ñuble and Biobío regions have killed at least 16 people and burned more than 20 000 ha (49 420 acres) as of January 18, 2026, forcing over 20 000 to evacuate.
President Gabriel Boric declared a State of Catastrophe on January 18 as wildfires rapidly spread across the Ñuble and Biobío regions of Chile. At least 16 people have been confirmed dead in rural areas of Diguillín, Ñuble Region, reported Minister of Public Security Luis Cordero.
National Forestry Corporation (CONAF), reported at least 19 active fires across the country, with 14 in the Ñuble region and five in the Biobío region.
Over 20 000 ha (49 400 acres) have burned as of January 18, primarily grasslands, plantations, and agricultural zones.
The agency said suppression efforts have been disrupted by persistent winds and high daytime temperatures exceeding 35°C (95°F).
At least 250 homes have been destroyed by the fires in the two regions.
One of the largest fires was near Penco, threatening multiple structures including the Penco-Lirquén Hospital and a gas storage facility. Authorities implemented safety protocols to prevent secondary hazards from possible explosions or gas leaks.
Around 20 000 residents were forced to leave their homes as fires moved quickly through urban-rural interfaces near Penco and Lirquén.
Over 1 000 people are staying in temporary shelters after losing homes or being evacuated from high-risk zones.
The National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response (Senapred) issued red alerts for several municipalities, including Chillán, Bulnes, and Arauco. Evacuations were carried out overnight as the fires expanded rapidly through vegetation dried by prolonged drought and heat.
The fires come amid Chile’s ongoing summer heatwave and a worsening drought across central and southern regions. Below-average rainfall and above-average temperatures since December 2025, have created favorable fire weather.
Conaf warned that the current season could become one of the most severe in recent years if weather patterns persist.
Daytime temperatures in Biobío and Ñuble reached up to 38°C (100°F) under dry foehn-type winds and humidity below 25 percent. These conditions, together with ongoing regional drought, have created an environment highly favorable to wildfire ignition and spread.
References:
1 Wildfire update for Ñuble and Biobío: over 20,000 hectares affected and around 1,000 people in shelters – La Tercera – January 18, 2026
2 Minister Cordero confirms 16 deaths after forest fires in Ñuble and Biobío – El Reportero – January 18, 2026
Feature image credit: COT_FT
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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