Chile wildfires kill at least 20

Chile’s president and president‑ elected visited regions devastated by wildfires that have killed at least 20 people and left large swathes under a state of catastrophe. The Biobío region reported 19 of the fatalities, while the remaining death occurred in Ñuble; authorities say nearly 35,000 hectares have burned and nine active fires remain under red alert, according to the forestry agency CONAF.

Officials and emergency teams continue battling flames while search-and-rescue and recovery operations proceed. Residents, volunteers and municipal crews have been clearing debris with shovels and heavy machinery; authorities cautioned that rubble removal must wait in some areas until search teams are certain no bodies remain buried. Interior Minister Álvaro Elizalde emphasized the need for careful searches before reconstruction begins.

The visits by President Gabriel Boric and president‑elect José Antonio Kast drew sharp public attention to both immediate relief needs and longer-term reconstruction. Boric pledged continued state support, including temporary housing, financial aid and infrastructure repair. Kast, who said his incoming administration would oversee reconstruction, criticized prevention and response measures and called for improved disaster preparedness, forest management and faster resource deployment.

Residents expressed mixed reactions—gratitude for national attention but anger about perceived failings in early warning and evacuation procedures. Community leaders demanded concrete support, including equipment and trucks to advance cleanup and rebuilding. Authorities warned of remaining hazards from unstable structures and hidden hotspots and urged caution for returning residents.

The catastrophe has prompted calls for accountability and reviews of emergency management amid broader concerns about climate-driven risks: experts cite prolonged drought, high temperatures and strong winds as contributors that increase wildfire likelihood and severity. Prosecutors and relief agencies are investigating causes and coordinating aid; officials said further assessments will guide reconstruction priorities and measures to reduce future risk.

As recovery shifts from immediate emergency response to planning and reconstruction, officials face the dual task of delivering urgent assistance to displaced families and implementing longer-term measures—improved preparedness, land and forest management, and resilient rebuilding—to prevent recurrence and strengthen community safety.