The number of fatalities from forest fires in Chile rises to 19

Published at: 19/01/2026 10:15 AM

Chile's Minister of Public Security, Luis Cordero, reported that the number of fatalities from forest fires rose to 19, with 18 cases in the Biobío region and one in the Ñuble region. In addition, he highlighted that around 1500 inhabitants have been affected by the destruction of their homes.

The National Forestry Corporation reported 23 active outbreaks in different areas of the country, affecting O'Higgins, Ñuble, Biobío and La Araucanía.

In Marchigüe, in the Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins region, a red alarm has been declared due to a fire that has devastated ten hectares. In La Araucanía, the municipalities of Collipulli, Lumaco, Purén and Angol remain under the same measure due to fires that have consumed around a thousand hectares, Telesur reported.

In Biobío, the curfew is still in effect in Lirquén, Penco, Nacimiento and Laja as part of control and protection actions.

Mazo News Team