Chile Declares Catastrophe As 18 Killed In Raging Wildfires

Massive wildfires swept through central and southern Chile on Sunday, claiming at least 18 lives, burning thousands of acres of forest, and reducing hundreds of homes to ash. Authorities reported the devastation as the nation endured an intense heatwave gripping much of South America.

Updated on: 21 January 2026 5:58 pm

Firefighters battle flames spreading through a forested area near Concepcion, Chile. | Photo: AP/Javier Torres

1/10

Wildfires burn at sunrise near Lirquen, Chile. | Photo: AP/Javier Torres

2/10

Residents watch wildfires near Concepcion, Chile. | Photo: AP/Javier Torres

3/10

Wildfires burn in a forest by houses near Concepcion, Chile. | Photo: AP/Javier Torres

4/10

Wildfires blaze near Concepcion, Chile. | Photo: AP/Javier Torres

5/10

Mirtza Aguilera, right, and her daughter embrace in front of their home burned by wildfires in Tome, Chile. | Photo: AP/Javier Torres

6/10

Residential areas burned by wildfires stretch across Tome, Chile. | Photo: AP/Javier Torres

7/10

People salvage personnel belongings from their homes that were damaged by wildfires in Lirquen, Chile. | Photo: AP/Javier Torres

8/10

Police recover the bodies of people who died after wildfires swept through homes near Lirquen, Chile. | Photo: AP/Javier Torres

9/10

A woman holds a cat rescued after wildfires swept through homes near Lirquen, Chile. | Photo: AP/Javier Torres

10/10

A member of the Gonzalez family pets his dog after the family's home caught fire during wildfires in Lirquen, Chile. | Photo: AP/Javier Torres