Devastating Fires in Southern Chile
In the south of Chile, desperate residents are pleading for help amidst the ruins caused by raging forest fires. These fires, fueled by high temperatures, have left 20 dead since the weekend and resulted in approximately 7,237 displaced individuals.
The heat eased on Tuesday, giving firefighters a much-needed break as they work to extinguish the flames. As residents return to survey their tragedy, they find skeleton-like remains of homes amid mountains of ash.
The dense smoke covering the Biobío region, located 500 km south of Santiago and the epicenter of this disaster, has Manuel Hormazábal, a 64-year-old resident, demanding essential supplies from authorities.
“What we need is basic necessities, like light and portable toilets,” Hormazábal tells AFP, waving his soot-stained hands. “There are no flashlights or basic supplies; we have to go into the forest to take care of our needs.”
Affected Regions and Casualties
The fires have ravaged the Ñuble, Araucanía, and Biobío regions, claiming 19 lives. Entire villages have been destroyed, with the number of displaced individuals steadily rising.
Those most affected express frustration with the state’s response:
“Ultimately, it’s only the people helping each other,” says María José Pino, a 23-year-old veterinarian. “There’s barely any help from authorities, and what there is, is minimal.”
Government Response and Challenges
President Gabriel Boric has visited the affected regions since Sunday, meeting with local authorities. The undersecretary of the Interior, Víctor Ramos, assured the press that they are working to deliver aid as quickly as possible.
Measures announced include a cash bonus of between $350 and $1,500 for affected families.
A Climatic Reprieve
On Tuesday, around 4,000 firefighters battled 21 fires across the three regions. The flames have consumed approximately 40,000 hectares of forests and lands, according to the latest report from the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf).
After three days of 30-degree heat, temperatures dropped. While this has slowed the fires’ progression, they remain uncontrolled.
Firefighters are focusing on extinguishing active hotspots in locations like Florida and Laja, in Biobío. In Florida, the fire remains intense, putting many residents at risk, according to transport worker Jorge Flores, 50.
Looking ahead to the next week, forecasts do not look promising. “High temperatures will persist, so we can’t let our guard down,” warned the head of firefighters.
Worst Fires Since 2024
These fires are the worst in Chile since February 2024, when multiple blazes erupted simultaneously near Viña del Mar, killing 138 people. Rising temperatures and more than a decade of megadrought conditions in central and southern Chile have facilitated the fires’ spread, according to Chile’s Climate Science and Resilience Center.
The destruction this time is more extensive in Lirquén and Penco, where entire communities were consumed by flames.
“I take my hat off mainly for the humble people, who are the only ones who have come here,” Hormazábal laments. “I haven’t seen the state provide any assistance.”
As he sifts through the remnants of his home, Hormazábal contemplates an impending winter without shelter. “They need to hurry up,” he says, “because winter is just around the corner.”
For now, he sleeps in a tent with his children and grandchildren, lacking electricity, water, and access to bathrooms.
Slow and Sporadic Aid Delivery
On Monday, the delivery of victims’ bodies to their families began following DNA tests. Some remained completely charred.
By Tuesday, the remains of five individuals had been identified. “We cannot provide a timeline for results; we hope it will be within this week, but it could take longer,” a source from Biobío’s forensic medical service told AFP.
The prosecutor’s office has yet to determine if the forest fires were accidentally or intentionally started.
“All hypotheses are being considered,”
the Biobío regional prosecutor, Marcela Cartagena, told the press.
Authorities also confirmed on Tuesday the arrest of an individual in Penco attempting to start a new fire.
