President Gabriel Boric has declared a “state of catastrophe” in the southern Chilean regions of Ñuble and Biobío as raging wildfires killed at least 18 people and forced over 50,000 to evacuate. Strong winds and temperatures reaching 38°C (100°F) have fueled the spread of 24 active fires, which have already consumed nearly 8,500 hectares of land. Prolonged drought and extreme heat created conditions for rapid fire spread.
Date: January 19, 2026. Source: aljazeera.com