Chilean authorities reported this Sunday a deadly toll as wildfires raged across the Valparaíso region, located about 100 kilometers east of Santiago. The number of homes consumed by the fast-moving blazes has risen to 56, with authorities warning that the figure could climb as conditions change in the coming hours. Sofía González, the regional presidential delegate, confirmed the update, noting that the loss of life is tragically increasing as emergency responses continue.
Officials described this event as the most significant natural disaster since a major earthquake in 2010, which left hundreds dead and thousands injured in the southern part of the country. President Gabriel Boric announced a state of exception to mobilize the full spectrum of national resources, with the emergency team already deployed to the region on Friday and arriving Sunday to assess the situation on the ground.
Data from the National Forestry Institute indicate at least seven active fires in Valparaíso, with the Lago Peñuelas/Las Tablas Reserve near a main highway being the largest cluster. Roughly 9,300 hectares have burned in a blaze that, alongside another fire in Lo Moscoso that has scorched 1,350 hectares, raises serious concerns due to their proximity to populated areas and the potential for rapid spread.
Álvaro Hormazábal, director of the National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (Senapred), offered an assessment on Sunday noting that weather conditions could improve in the near term. A slight drop in wind and rising humidity were anticipated, which experts believed would ease firefighting efforts. “Starting today or tomorrow, efforts on the coastal front will intensify; cloud cover could develop along the coast, increasing humidity and dampening the flames”, Hormazábal stated.
Curfew
To facilitate rescue operations and ensure safe evacuation routes, the government issued a nighttime curfew in parts of the region. The measure may extend into Sunday night in towns that have not yet evacuated, including Quilpué, Villa Alemana, Limache, and Viña del Mar. Regional governor Rodrigo Mundaca announced the decision after consultations with authorities and regional agencies, emphasizing that while there was broad alignment on the curfew, the exact scope and timing remain under review as the situation evolves.
Authorities are also examining potential foul play as a factor in the fires, noting that multiple ignition points appeared simultaneously. Mundaca cautioned that investigators would determine whether the incidents involved criminal activity or organized arson, stressing that the matter would be handled by the justice system as evidence is collected and analyzed.
The response effort has centered on rapid coordination among civil defense, emergency services, and regional authorities to protect residents, secure critical infrastructure, and guide evacuations. Residents in affected communities have been urged to stay informed through official channels and heed authorities’ instructions to minimize risk and ensure swift, orderly departures where necessary. As crews continue to battle the flames, the focus remains on safeguarding lives, homes, and essential services while monitoring evolving weather conditions that could influence fire behavior in the coming days.