Overview
- More than 50,000 people were evacuated from Ñuble and Biobío after blazes that began Saturday swept through communities near Concepción, including Penco and Lirquén.
- President Gabriel Boric declared a state of natural catastrophe, enabling expanded resources and potential military support, and imposed a nighttime curfew in the worst-hit areas.
- About 4,000 firefighters are battling multiple fronts in hot, windy conditions, with officials warning that forecasts point to continued extreme fire behavior.
- Authorities say roughly 300 homes are confirmed destroyed so far, and Boric cautioned the final number will likely exceed 1,000.
- Penco’s mayor reported 14 deaths in that locality alone, and evacuations and damage assessments continue as the situation remains unstable.