Severe wildfires have continued for a third consecutive day in southern Chile, fueled by high temperatures and strong winds. Officials reported at least 20 deaths and widespread destruction across several towns. The fires began Saturday in the Ñuble and Biobío regions, about 500 kilometers south of Santiago, and quickly spread over an area comparable to the size of Detroit in the United States, destroying or severely damaging around 1,000 homes.

President Gabriel Boric said Monday that while some areas were under control, conditions remained “very active and dangerous” in others, with new fires emerging in nearby Araucanía. Both Ñuble and Biobío have been declared disaster zones, and the military has been deployed to assist. More than 3,500 firefighters were working to contain the blazes as temperatures dropped to around 25 degrees Celsius but the situation remained critical.

Experts cited climate change as a key factor behind the increasing frequency of extreme wildfires in central and southern Chile during the dry summer months. Past fire seasons in 2016–17, 2022–23, and February 2024 also caused severe destruction and loss of life.

At least 19 people have been killed and more than 50,000 displaced as uncontrolled wildfires swept through southern Chile’s Ñuble and Biobío regions, about 500 kilometers south of Santiago. Fueled by strong winds and high temperatures, the fires have destroyed homes, vehicles, and infrastructure over two days, leaving towns like Penco and Lirquén in ruins. Most of the deaths occurred in Penco, while residents in Lirquén described flames spreading within seconds.

President Gabriel Boric declared a state of emergency in the affected regions, enabling the deployment of armed forces to assist nearly 4,000 firefighters battling the blazes. He visited Concepción to oversee firefighting efforts and imposed a nighttime curfew in the hardest-hit areas, calling the situation extremely difficult. The national disaster agency reported that most evacuations took place in Penco and Lirquén, home to about 60,000 people.

Officials warned that weather conditions remain unfavorable, with high temperatures and strong winds complicating containment efforts. The report noted that climate change has intensified wildfire risks in central and southern Chile in recent years.

José Antonio Kast, a far-right politician, has been elected as Chile’s 38th president after securing 58 percent of the vote in a runoff election. His leftist rival, Communist Party member Jeanette Jara, conceded defeat and congratulated Kast, acknowledging the democratic outcome. Supporters celebrated in central Santiago with flags and car horns as Kast delivered a victory speech emphasizing national unity over partisan triumph.

Kast campaigned on promises to expel undocumented migrants, tighten border security, combat violent crime, and revive Chile’s sluggish economy. His victory marks another shift toward conservative politics in Latin America, following recent right-wing wins in Argentina, Bolivia, Honduras, El Salvador, and Ecuador. Chile, once one of the region’s most stable economies, has faced social unrest, pandemic-related challenges, and rising organized crime.

Analysts suggest Kast’s presidency could redefine Chile’s political trajectory, testing his ability to balance tough security measures with economic recovery and social cohesion. His administration is expected to take office amid high public expectations and regional scrutiny.