Big wildfires burned parts of central and southern Chile on January 18, 2026, during very hot weather. The fires destroyed forests and many homes, and many people had to leave their towns. The government said the fires were dangerous and declared an emergency in two regions south of the capital city. Firefighters worked day and night, but strong winds made the fires spread fast.

The emergency helped bring more help to the area. Many families moved to safe places for protection. The fires caused serious damage to houses, schools, and cars. Police added a night rule to keep people safe. Officials said the fires were a big problem during summer because the weather is very dry.