Chile Forest Fires (March 2025)

On 24 March 2025, large-scale wildfires erupted simultaneously at multiple locations in southern Chile, resulting in thousands of hectares of land being consumed. The fires particularly affected the regions of Nuble, Biobio, Araucania, and Los Ríos.

_{Chilean forest fires, 24 March 2025 – Anadolu Agency}

The fires began in the afternoon of 24 March 2025 and spread uncontrollably due to strong winds within a short period. The most severe damage occurred in the Biobio and Araucania regions. The town of Traiguén, part of the Araucania region, was among the settlements most affected by the fires. In Traiguén, the fires consumed an area of 2,000 hectares; in Galvarino, 1,136 hectares burned, and in Padre Las Casas, 1,000 hectares were destroyed.

Due to the emergency in Traiguén, 2,000 people were evacuated. All schools in the town were temporarily closed. Firefighting efforts were conducted both from the air and the ground, coordinated by the National Emergency Prevention and Response Service (Senapred) and the Forestry Corporation (Conaf).

In addition to evacuations, temporary shelter areas were established for approximately 100 people by the Ministry of Social Development. Evacuation alerts were issued to residents under the Emergency Warning System (SAE). Interior Minister Alvaro Elizalde announced that all available resources had been mobilized to combat the fires. President Gabriel Boric stated that the government stood in solidarity with the affected population and directed all relevant institutions to the region.

National data indicates that a total of 7,821 hectares were burned. The fires affected not only forested areas but also agricultural land and some residential zones. The most decisive factor in the spread of the fires was identified as strong winds.

In recent years, Chile has frequently faced forest fires during the summer months due to rising temperatures and drought. In January 2024, fires around the city of Viña del Mar claimed 137 lives and completely destroyed numerous homes. The 2025 fires are viewed as part of an ongoing chain of climate-related disasters in this context.