2026 Chilean wildfires

The region had been experiencing extreme heat prior to the fires, with temperatures exceeding 38 °C (100 °F).^[1] Immediately prior to the fires breaking out, temperatures reached 28 °C (82 °F) and winds blew at speeds of 40–50 kilometres per hour (25–31 mph). The adverse conditions also delayed firefighting and rescue efforts until the morning.^[2]

A series of wildfires broke out across the regions of Biobío and Ñuble on 16 January 2026, causing at least 21 fatalities,^[3][4][5] injuring 75 others and destroying at least 800 structures and multiple vehicles.^[6][7] More than 50,600 people were forced to evacuate.^[8] During firefighting efforts in Angol, a group of criminals attacked a fire engine.^[9]

The fires destroyed much of the coastal town of Lirquén and parts of Penco, both part of the Concepción metropolitan area.^[3] Eighteen fatalities were reported in Biobío, while another occurred in Ñuble.^[10][3] More than 630 people were sheltering in nine active shelters, and 1,500 were left homeless.^[11]

At least 61 people were injured in Biobío, and 14 in Ñuble, all of whom have been treated at medical facilities. 20,000 people suffered property damage and about 800 houses were destroyed.^[12]

Authorities were also evaluating damage to about 140 homes in Ñuble. Concepción was threatened by advancing fires, and some structures were destroyed on the outskirts of the city.^[13] The largest fire, Trinitarias, had burned more than 23-kilometre (14 mi) and threatened more than 3,000 houses and a gas plant.^[14]

Drone footage showed six body bags on a road, a Coulson Aviation Boeing 737–300 putting out a fire and dozens of burned houses and vehicles.^[15] A state of emergency was declared in the two regions by President Gabriel Boric.^[16] Nearly 3,000 firefighters were deployed.^[17] Authorities reported 75 wildfires in the region, and 33 remained active as of 20 January 2026^[update].^[3] The fires have burned over 45,000 acres as of 21 January 2026.^[18]

The Chilean government's reaction to the fires has been criticized by various local politicians and mayors as slow. Rodrigo Vera, the mayor of Penco, said "from the bottom of my heart, I have been here for four hours" and that his town was burning without government presence.^[2]

On 21 January, Chile police arrested a man on suspicion of starting one of the wildfires. Security Minister Luis Cordero said the suspect used a liquid accelerant to start fires in a wheat field, with authorities seizing five liters of fuel from him. He was arrested at dawn in the town of Perquenco in Araucanía Region, south of Biobío.^[12]

Compensation for victims will range from $700 to $1,500, according to a government statement.^[12]

As of 25 January 2026 at 23:40 UTC (20:40 CLST (local time)).^[18]

• 2024 Chile wildfires