**Santiago, Chile** – A dire state of catastrophe has been officially declared across two central-southern regions of Chile as an escalating wildfire crisis engulfs the nation, leaving a trail of devastation, fatalities, and widespread displacement. President Gabriel Boric announced the extraordinary measure on Sunday, authorising the deployment of military personnel to bolster overwhelmed emergency services battling blazes exacerbated by scorching heat and arid conditions.
The Ñuble and Biobío regions, situated approximately 500 kilometres south of the capital, Santiago, are bearing the brunt of the inferno. These areas, home to verdant forests and a significant population, are now grappling with an environmental and humanitarian emergency. The declaration of a state of catastrophe grants authorities enhanced powers to coordinate resources, mobilise the armed forces, and expedite aid to affected communities. This is a stark reminder of the devastating wildfires that ravaged the country in February 2024, which resulted in an unfathomable loss of over 130 lives.
Reports from the ground paint a harrowing picture. At least 18 individuals have succumbed to the flames, a figure authorities fear will tragically rise as search and rescue operations continue. The immediate threat has compelled over 50,000 residents to abandon their homes, seeking refuge from the encroaching infernos. Particularly hard-hit are the coastal municipalities north of Concepción, including Penco and Lirquén, where entire communities have been evacuated. The scale of destruction is immense, with preliminary estimates indicating that around 250 homes have been reduced to ashes. One municipality near Concepción alone has reported the loss of 253 residences.
The relentless wildfires are raging amidst an intense heatwave, with temperatures soaring to a punishing 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit). These extreme weather conditions, coupled with strong winds, are proving to be formidable adversaries for the firefighters and forestry agency, Conaf, who are valiantly battling to contain the conflagration. Conaf reported on Sunday that 24 separate fires were active across the country, with the most critical situations unfolding in Ñuble and Biobío. The dry, tinderbox-like state of the forests, a consequence of prolonged dry spells, provides ample fuel for the rapidly spreading flames.
The gravity of the situation has not gone unnoticed by local leadership. Rodrigo Vera, the mayor of Penco, voiced his profound distress and frustration, directly addressing President Boric with a plea for immediate governmental intervention. "Dear president Boric, from the bottom of my heart, I have been here for four hours, a community is burning and there is no [government] presence," he stated, highlighting the perceived lack of immediate support in the initial hours of the crisis. In response to the escalating danger, a nighttime curfew has been imposed in the most severely affected areas, an attempt to ensure public safety and facilitate emergency operations.
The considerable area already scorched, with estimates ranging from 8,500 hectares (21,000 acres) to 85 square kilometres (33 square miles) in the affected regions, underscores the magnitude of the disaster. Beyond the immediate loss of life and property, the wildfires are placing an immense strain on emergency services and testing the limits of Chile's firefighting capabilities. As the nation braces for further challenges, concerns linger about the efficacy of future containment efforts, given the forecast for continued adverse weather conditions. The declaration of a state of catastrophe, while a necessary measure, signifies the profound crisis Chile is currently confronting.