Chile wildfires leave 19 dead amid extreme heat as scores evacuated

People watch smoke and fire rise as wildfire burns in Concepcion, Chile, in the aftermath of a forest fire in the Biobio region, where, according to local media, multiple wildfires prompted emergency evacuations, January 18, 2026. REUTERS/Juan Gonzalez

CONCEPCION, Chile, ‌Jan 19 (Reuters) - Wildfires in Chile have left at least 19 people ‌dead, authorities said on Monday, as the government carried out ‌mass evacuations and fought nearly two dozen blazes exacerbated by intense heat and high winds.

While weather conditions overnight helped control some fires, the largest were still active, with adverse conditions ‍expected throughout the day, security minister, Luis ‍Cordero, said at a news ‌briefing on Monday.