Deadly Wildfires Ravage Chile, Argentina

a { color: #880000 !important; background: #ffeeee !important; } Latest News from NourishThe Nourish Mission (formerly OneSub)Get answers to today's big questionsDeadly Wildfires Ravage Chile, ArgentinaEnvironment > EnvironmentAs of early February 2026, wildfires have devastated southern Chile's Biobio and Ñuble regions, killing at least 21 people, injuring over 300, and forcing 50,000 evacuations. The fires have destroyed thousands of homes and scorched roughly 450 sq km. Simultaneously, Argentina's Patagonia faces severe wildfires threatening ancient forests amid budget cuts and climate denial by President Javier Milei.

What's happened

As of early February 2026, wildfires have devastated southern Chile's Biobio and Ñuble regions, killing at least 21 people, injuring over 300, and forcing 50,000 evacuations. The fires have destroyed thousands of homes and scorched roughly 450 sq km. Simultaneously, Argentina's Patagonia faces severe wildfires threatening ancient forests amid budget cuts and climate denial by President Javier Milei.

What's behind the headline?

Political and Environmental Failures Fuel Crisis

The wildfires in Chile and Argentina expose a convergence of climatic extremes and political decisions that have worsened the disaster. In Chile, prolonged drought and a heatwave have created tinderbox conditions, while in Argentina, aggressive austerity measures have slashed fire prevention budgets by over 70%, critically undermining preparedness.

Climate Change Denial and Budget Cuts

Argentina's President Javier Milei dismisses climate change as a "socialist lie" and contemplates withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, reflecting a political stance that directly conflicts with scientific consensus. This denial has translated into drastic funding cuts for the National Fire Management Service, reducing aerial firefighting capacity and early warning systems.

Community Resilience Amid Government Shortcomings

Local communities in both countries have formed grassroots firefighting brigades, using basic tools to combat fires alongside official efforts. However, firefighters face low wages and poor working conditions, highlighting systemic neglect.

International Aid and Coordination

Chile has mobilized military resources and received international firefighting support from Mexico, the U.S., Uruguay, Brazil, and Argentina. Despite this, the scale of destruction—thousands of homes lost, dozens dead, and vast forest areas burned—underscores the challenge ahead.

Forecast and Consequences

Without significant policy shifts addressing climate change and restoring fire management funding, these regions will face increasingly severe wildfire seasons. The destruction of ancient forests, including UNESCO World Heritage sites, signals irreversible ecological damage. The political choices made now will determine the resilience of these ecosystems and communities in the near future.

What the papers say

The Guardian's Lucas Chiappe provides a vivid account of local struggles, highlighting how decades of replacing native forests with flammable pine plantations have worsened fire risks. He notes, "We had to throw all our equipment into the stream and get the hell out of there," illustrating the desperation on the ground. Al Jazeera and Reuters emphasize the political dimension, quoting Ariel Slipak of FARN: "These fires are absolutely predictable," blaming President Milei's "chainsaw" budget cuts that slashed fire management funding by 71%. Greenpeace's Hernan Giardini condemns climate denial as "political irresponsibility that will be paid for by forests and homes." AP News and The Independent detail Chile's crisis, with President Gabriel Boric declaring a state of catastrophe and mobilizing military coordination amid extreme heat and drought. The Independent reports on the human toll and community resilience, describing how towns like Lirquén were devastated and how volunteers and NGOs are providing aid. Reuters highlights the scale of destruction, noting over 20,000 hectares burned and the challenges posed by extreme weather. Together, these sources paint a comprehensive picture of a wildfire crisis fueled by climate extremes, political decisions, and community resilience.

How we got here

Chile and Argentina are experiencing severe wildfires exacerbated by extreme heat, drought, and strong winds. Chile declared a state of catastrophe in Biobio and Ñuble regions, mobilizing military support. Argentina's Patagonia fires threaten UNESCO sites amid deep budget cuts to fire management and climate change denial by its government.

Go deeper

What caused the wildfires in Chile and Argentina?
How have government policies affected wildfire management?
What is the impact on local communities and ecosystems?

Common question

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