At least 19 people have been confirmed dead by the Chilean government as wildfires, that started on Saturday, spread through the south-central region of the country, devastating the Ñuble and Biobío regions. So far, over 50,000 people have been evacuated from fire-affected areas. The fires have ravaged heavily populated areas in Ñuble and Biobío, some 500 kilometers south of the Chilean capital, Santiago. Interior Minister Álvaro Elizalde said the country is “facing a complex scenario,” with over 3700 firefighters working in the area. Boric travelled to the nearby city of Concepción to lead the firefighting operations, and has decreed a state of emergency in the area.

Source: Bueno Aires Herald January 19, 2026 22:42 UTC