A massive wildfire in Penco, Chile, has rapidly advanced toward residential areas, prompting the evacuation of over 20,000 residents and threatening at least 3,000 homes. Aerial footage captured by drones at night shows flames sweeping across surrounding hills, illuminating the skyline and demonstrating the fire’s speed and intensity.

The blaze, which erupted on January 17, 2026, in Chile’s Biobío region, has forced President Gabriel Boric to declare a national emergency. Firefighters face extreme challenges in controlling the fire, which has consumed 470 hectares in just hours due to dry conditions and strong winds. Critical infrastructure—including a hospital and a gas plant—is under threat, adding urgency to the evacuation and firefighting efforts.

This fire is part of a broader wave of southern Chilean wildfires that have already killed at least 15 people and displaced roughly 50,000. Experts cite intensifying climate patterns, including unusually dry conditions and persistent high winds, as factors contributing to the rapid spread and severity of these fires.

Emergency response teams continue to work around the clock to contain the blaze, evacuate vulnerable populations, and protect key structures. The aerial footage serves as a stark reminder of the growing intensity of wildfire events in the region and the urgent need for coordinated disaster preparedness and response.